Jaboatao dos Guararapes was funded in 1593 by Bento Luiz Figueira. Two big wars against the Nederlands happened in this town, in 1648 and 1649.

The first name of the city was Jaboatao, which comes from the indigenous "Yapoatan"; it was a reminder of the common tree in the region, used to manufacture masts and craft. Since 1989 this city was called Jaboatao dos Guararapes, in homage to the place of historic battles - the Guararapes Mounts.

The district became known as "Little Moscow", because it was the first Brazilian municipality to elect a communist mayor in 1947.

Jaboatao dos Guararapes has a warm and humid clime, with average temperature of 27 °C.