The word Barili comes from the name of a local grass called balili. The municipality was founded in 1632, though the parish of Barili was established in 1614. A cross was planted by Spaniards led by Captain Juan Juarado at their arrival at 1602, and still exists today.
Barili is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 60,430 people. Barili is located 61 kilometers southwest of Cebu City It is bounded on the south by the municipality of Dumanjug; on the north by the municipality of Aloguinsan; on the east by the municipalities of Carcar and Sibonga; and on the west by the Tanon Strait. It is the hometown of the Aguilar, Lozada, Paras and Zoza families.