Exactly what does the title Ngorongoro signify? There are 2 theories describing the origin with the name "Ngorongoro." The first suggests the crater was named once the Maasai expression "El-Nkoronkorro," meaning "present of existence." Based on legend, This is often how the Maasai referred to the lush grasslands of Ngorongoro. The Ngorongoro Crate