Between 1937 and 1939, amidst the Spanish Civil War, republicans exercised their power in local institutions to modify or replace the names of various localities. These changes primarily aimed to eliminate religious references and, in some cases, incorporate elements linked to the historical or geographical reality of each place.

In Baix Empordà, six municipalities underwent this transformation. Sant Sadurní de l’Heura became simply Sadurní de l’Heura, removing the saint's reference. Similarly, Sant Feliu de Guíxols was renamed Guíxols, also suppressing the saint's name.

A unique case was Calonge, which, despite not having a religious component in its original name, was renamed Calonge de la Costa Brava. Meanwhile, Santa Cristina d’Aro went further, eliminating the religious reference and adding a hydrographic element, becoming known as Riudaura d’Aro.

Finally, two municipalities that later lost their independence also saw their names changed. Sant Antoni de Calonge (formerly Sant Antoni de Mar) was transformed into Llevantí de Mar, incorporating a geographical element. The Sant Joan de Palamós City Council opted for a historical reference, becoming Vilarromà.

These changes, however, were ephemeral. With the victory of the Francoist side and the establishment of the dictatorship from 1939 onwards, religious elements were restored, and names were Castilianized, reverting to previous denominations or Castilianized versions such as San Sadurní de la Heura or San Feliu de Guixols.