The province was known as Dulaim until 1962 when it was changed to Ramadi. In 1976 it was renamed Al Anbar.

Al Anbar was set to be the first Sunni-majority governorate of Iraq to have security duties transferred to Provincial Iraqi Control; however, the transfer ceremony was delayed due to a sandstorm. After these delays, though, the transfer has now taken place, making Anbar the 11th governorate to be handed over to Provincial Iraqi control.