The name Malingin was derived from the native word “lingin” which means dizzy. It seemed that there were two big whirlpools on the side of Bago River; one, near Hacienda Esteban (known as Malingin Daku); and another near Hacienda San Juan del Monte (known as Malingin Diutay).

These whirlpools which are really a mass of swirling waters make the on-lookers feel dizzy or “lingin.” To these, the folks attributed the name of their place, Barangay Malingin.