There have been five Wisconsin counties that have been renamed:
- La Pointe County was formed in 1845 by the Wisconsin Territorial legislature. When Wisconsin achieved statehood, La Pointe County was divided between the new state and the Minnesota Territory. The part that remained in Wisconsin kept the name La Pointe County. Both Douglas County (1854) and Ashland County (1860) were formed from La Pointe County. The remainder of La Pointe County was renamed Bayfield County in 1866.
- Bad Ax County was formed in 1851 and was renamed to Vernon County in 1862. The original name was a reference either to the Bad Ax River which flows through the county or to the Battle of Bad Ax which was the final engagement of the Blackhawk War of 1832.
- Dallas County was formed in 1859 and named for George M. Dallas who had been Vice President of the United States when Wisconsin became a state in 1848. This was very similar to Polk County which was named for President James Polk who was President in 1848. Dallas County was renamed to Barron County in 1869.
- New County was formed in 1879 from parts of Oconto County. It was renamed Langlade County in 1880.
- Gates County was formed in 1901 and named after a Milwaukee land speculator. In 1905 it was renamed to Rusk County.