Tradition tells that the name Thiruvalla comes from the word "Valla Vaay", named after the river Manimala which was known as Vallayār in ancient times. Before roads were developed, Thiruvalla village developed at the mouth of the river Vallayar, connected far and near places through waterways, and hence was known as Valla vāi(vāy in old Malayalam means mouth of river). Later the Malayalam Prefix 'Thiru (means holy /revered) attached to it and became Thiruvalla.
