Named in honour of Sir Charles Cowper CMG KCMG, 1807–75. Cowper was a statesman who served as Premier of New South Wales on five occasions.

Cowper as an electorate has been around since 1901.

The Division of Cowper consists of:

Bellingen Shire Council,

Kempsey Shire Council,

Nambucca Valley Council,

part of the Coffs Harbour City Council, and

part of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.