The municipality of Malimono was created in 1957. An often-repeated story about how the municipality got its name runs this way. Before the coming of the Americans, the west Coast was a virgin forest covered by first group timber and ferns. Some travelers passing by the seashore saw a clear stream and landed for their provisions of fresh water. The first creatures that met their eyes were monkeys as big as human beings.

The monkeys, upon seeing the intruders, scampered to the trees. When darkness fell, however, they returned to where the voyagers were bivouacked to steal their food and personal belongings. The following morning when they found their things gone, the leader cried in disgust, "Mal mono," meaning bad monkeys.

Source: 1970 Souvenir Program of Philippine Public Schools Inter-scholastic Athletic Association Meet (PPSIAA)