There are several stories on how the community obtained its name. The most common story currently shared is that the name, "T'iis nazbas" was given to the are in the 1800s after several cottonwood trees that naturally stood side-by-side forming a large circle in a radius of about 50 to 60 feet in diameter. Some area residents say only one tree remains to this day. The local youths are planning on replanting some trees in the same area where those trees once existed.
The other story is that there was one tree that bloomed to a near perfect round during the summer months, what this tree was remains a mystery to this day. Some local elders say the tree was a Navajo Willow but others say the tree was a large cotton tree.