Traditions vary as regard to how the gate derived its name. One version of the traditions has it that the gate derived its name from the isoberlinia (Doka) trees that were in existence around the site of the gate. Another tradition suggested that the gate was named after a particular Doka tree that was located at the Palace of Sarkin Zazzau Abubakar, which was later converted to a prison which housed the present city prison at Kofar Doka. According to yet another tradition the gate got its name from a re-known gatekeeper bearing the name Doka. In the past Kofar Doka was the gateway to Katsina and Kano.