The name derives from the Patron Saint of the town while the appositive "La Punta" (that means point, tip) was added subsequently because a part of its territory has a point shape formed by the lava flow. The suburb belonged to Catania's municipality for a long time. In 1646, it passed under the dominion of the Massa family, dukes of Aci Castello, who possessed it until the abolition of the feudal rights.
It has a beautiful cathedral dedicated to St. John the Baptiste and numerous 1800's palazzi among which is the outstanding Villa Paternò Castello di Carcaci with an adjacent park.