Indian River County was named for the Indian River Lagoon. The Indian River Lagoon is a series of lagoons and inlets making up a portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in the U.S. state of Florida. Its full length extends from Ponce de Leon Inlet in Volusia County, Florida to Jupiter Inlet in Martin County, Florida, and includes Cape Canaveral. The County was created in 1925 and formed the towns of Fellsmere, Gifford, Sebastian, and Vero Beach.

Where the name of Vero Beach came from is currently unknown. Ironically, on the application it appears the U.S. Postmaster thought "Vero" was an error, and he wrote over the first letter and put a "Z" to make it "Zero." (See image.) Mr. Gifford corrected the postmaster by drawing the letter "V" with very thick lines (copy of application can be found in the Indian River County Local History file at the Main Library). It is believe that Vero Beach got its name after the wife of Henry Gifford who was named “Vero.” More information about Indian River County can be acquired at the Indian River County Historical Society, Inc. The mission of the Indian River County Historical Society is to actively promote and practice the preservation of all historic artifacts, sites, structures and materials relating to the Indian River County area, for charitable and educational purposes.