Historically the area was sparsely populated by
Finnic peoples, of whom the
Vepsians, a few still living in the district, are the descendants. Although this area formally became a part of the
Novgorod Republic and subsequently of the
Principality of Beloozero, none of the villages located in the area were mentioned in any documents until the end of the 14th century. The first historic reference to "Suda land" is in
Dmitry Donskoy's testament. In the course of the
administrative reform carried out in 1708 by
Peter the Great, the area was included into
Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as
Saint Petersburg Governorate). In 1727, a separate
Novgorod Governorate was split off. The current area of the district was split between
Belozersky Uyezd (north of the Kolp) and
Ustyuzhensky Uyezd (south of the Kolp). In 1776, the area was transferred to
Novgorod Viceroyalty. In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished, and both uyezds were transferred to Novgorod Governorate. Babayevo, then a village, developed as a settlement around an iron production plant in the 19th century. Important historic route - St.Petersburg-Tikhvin-Belozersk tract - runs via this district and crosses the Suda River at Borisovo-Sudskoye. Borisovo-Sudskoye become important trading and fair location in the 19th century. Khvalevskoye Manor is located here, a country seat of Russian noble family Kachalov. After Bolshevik revolution, in June 1918 five uyezds of Novgorod Governorate, including Belozersky and Ustyuzhensky Uyezds, were split off to form
Cherepovets Governorate, with the administrative center in
Cherepovets. In 1925, Babayevo was granted town status. On August 1, 1927, Cherepovets Governorate was abolished, and its area became
Cherepovets Okrug of
Leningrad Oblast. Simultaneously, the uyezds were abolished and Babayevsky District was established. On September 23, 1937, Babayevsky District was transferred to newly established Vologda Oblast. and
Oshtinsky District with the administrative center in the
selo of
Oshta were also established. Borisovo-Sudsky District was a part of Cherepoivets Okrug of Leningrad Oblast, whereas Oshtinsky District was a part of
Lodeynoye Pole Okrug of Leningrad Oblast. In 1937, both were transferred from Leningrad Oblast to Vologda Oblast. On December 12, 1955, Oshtinsky District was abolished. The area of Oshtinsky District was split between Vytegorsky and Borisovo-Sudsky Districts. In 1959, Borisovo-Sudsky District was abolished as well and merged into Babayevsky District. ==Demographics==