Hathras District was created on 3 May 1997 by incorporating parts of the Aligarh, Mathura and Agra districts. It was given the name Hathras District shortly after. In 1997, Hathras district was named after Mahamaya, mother of Gautama Buddha, by the state government after Mayawati became chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. In 2012, old name was revived by the state government after Akhilesh Yadav became chief Minister
