 Beltana takes its name from that of a nearby sheep station, west of the current town, which provided a stopover point for travellers, missionaries, explorers, and miners.The name "Beltana" may have come from the Adnyamathanha for "running water" or "crossing of the waters" or may be an adaptation of "veldana" for "skin" or "cloak".It may also have come from the village of Beltana, Tasmania, or a word about bravery or courage from Ireland, and finally one of the station managers believed it simply indicated the place where the station bell was rung.