Šmartno pod Šmarno Goro literally means 'Šmartno below Mount Saint Mary'. It is named after Saint Martin, the patron saint of the local church. It was attested in 1296 as Sanctus Martinus sub Monte Sancte Marie (and as Sand Marten in 1420, and Sand Martten pey der Saw in 1430). The name Šmartno is a result of contraction (*šent Martìn 'Saint Martin' > *Šm̥martìn > *Šmártən) and the masculine form then underwent hypercorrection to a neuter noun.