Novi, Michigan, has a rich history dating back to its establishment as a township in 1832, formed from land originally part of Farmington Township. The name “Novi” was suggested by Dr. J. C. Emery, following his wife’s suggestion, as residents sought a shorter name than Farmington.

There are various local legends about the origin of the name. One suggests it was derived from the sixth toll gate (No. VI) on the Grand River Road, though this road wasn’t built until the 1850s, long after the township was named. Other accounts claim it was named for the sixth stagecoach stop outside Detroit or the sixth stop on the railway, yet the railway did not come through the township until 1870-71, nearly 40 years after its establishment.

Novi transitioned from a township to a city in 1969 following the approval of a city charter by local voters on February 18, 1969. The move to city status had been attempted several times before finally succeeding. The incorporation vote saw 694 in favor and 283 against, and the charter officially took effect on February 24, 1969. The city expanded rapidly in the latter half of the 20th century, driven by waves of white flight from Detroit and older suburbs, leading to significant urban sprawl.