List of San Francisco placename etymologies

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of place name etymologies in San Francisco, California.

Place names

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Place Namesake Notes
Alamo SquareNamed for a cottonwood tree (alamo in Spanish) that grew on Alamo Hill.
Alemany BoulevardJoseph Sadoc AlemanyThe Alemany Maze is also named for Alemany.
Alvarado StreetJuan Bautista Alvarado
Ambrose Bierce AlleyAmbrose BierceFormerly Aldrich Alley, named for Mark Aldrich; renamed in 1988.
Anza StreetJuan Bautista de Anza
Arguello BoulevardJosé Darío Argüello
Ashbury StreetMunroe AshburyAshbury was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1864 to 1870.[1]
Baker BeachThe John Henry Baker family, dairy farmers.[2]
Baker StreetEdward Dickinson BakerSan Francisco's Baker Street, extending from Haight Street at Buena Vista Park, past the Palace of Fine Arts to the marina within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area at Marina Boulevard, is named after Baker.
Balance StreetStoreship called "The Balance"The Balance was captured during the War of 1812 and arrived in San Francisco in 1849, where she served as a storeship docked at the intersection of Front and Jackson. She was broken apart and buried at the end of Pacific Wharf which is now Balance Street[3]
Balboa StreetVasco Núñez de Balboa
Bartlett StreetWashington Allon BartlettBartlett was the first alcalde (mayor) of San Francisco and is sometimes confused with Governor Washington Montgomery Bartlett, the city's twentieth mayor
Beale StreetEdward Fitzgerald Beale
Bennington StreetBattle of Bennington[4]
Bernal HeightsJosé Cornelio BernalIn 1839, José Cornelio Bernal (1796–1842) was given a land grant to Rancho Rincon de las Salinas y Potrero Viejo, part of which comprised present-day Bernal Heights.
Bernal Heights BoulevardJosé Cornelio BernalSee Bernal Heights.
Bernice StreetMay have been named for a prostitute who worked in the alley.[5]
Birch StreetThe Birch treeSeveral Hayes Valley streets are named for plants and trees.[6]
Bluxome StreetIsaac Bluxome Jr.Bluxome led troops against the Hounds in 1849; he served as Secretary of the Vigilante Committees of 1851 and 1856.
Bonifacio StreetAndrés Bonifacio
Bradford StreetWilliam BradfordBradford Street is one of two streets in Bernal Heights named for Pilgrim Fathers; the other is Brewster Street.[4]
Brannan StreetSamuel Brannan
Brenham PlaceCharles James Brenham
Brewster StreetWilliam BrewsterBrewster Street is one of two streets in Bernal Heights named for Pilgrim Fathers; the other is Bradford Street.[4]
Broderick StreetDavid C. Broderick
Bryant StreetEdwin Bryant
Buchanan StreetJohn C. BuchananIt had been assumed that Buchanan Street was named after James Buchanan, the President of the United States who took office in March 1857. However, an 1856 map was found to have also included the street name. It is probable then that the street was actually named for the local pioneer John C. Buchanan.
Burnett AvenuePeter Burnett
Bush StreetJ.P. BushMay have been named after a cabin boy J. P. Bush who was an assistant to city mapper, Jasper O'Farrell. At least twice, "Bush" street signs along the 2.6-mile stretch were vandalized to honor a political opponent of a Republican named Bush. Days before the 1988 election, dozens of signs were covered with "Dukakis" stickers.[7] After the 2009 inauguration following the 2008 election, vandals covered signs throughout the street's length with "Obama" stickers; some signs were also vandalized shortly after Obama's victory.[8] A man was charged in the 1988 incident, and San Francisco city officials stressed the cost of removing the stickers in the 2009 incident.
    • Per a 1918 San Francisco Chronicle article, Bush Street is named after a physician, Jonathan Platt Bush (J.P. Bush).
Cabrillo StreetJuan Rodriguez Cabrillo
California StreetState of California
Capp StreetC.S. CappCapp was secretary of the San Francisco Homestead Union, the first homestead association in San Francisco. The street runs through the lands of the association.[9]
Carl Larsen ParkCarl Gustave Larsen (1844–1928), Danish immigrant immigrant who donated the land for the park.[10]
Castro StreetJosé CastroA Californio leader of Mexican opposition to U.S. rule in California in the 19th century, and alcalde (mayor) of Alta California from 1835 to 1836.
Cesar Chavez StreetCésar ChávezUntil 1995, it was named "Army Street." (It was so named because it terminated at the Army Pier in the Bay. Twenty-Sixth Street was formerly called Navy Street because it terminated at the Navy Pier.)[11]
Chattanooga StreetBattle of Chattanooga
Chenery StreetRichard CheneryChenery was a gold rush pioneer
Clark StreetWilliam S. Clark
Cole StreetCornelius Cole
Coleman StreetWilliam T. Coleman
Colin P Kelly Junior StreetColin Kelly
Cora StreetCharles CoraCora, a gambler and consort of prostitutes, was lynched by vigilantes in 1856.[5]
Davidson StreetGeorge Davidson
Davis StreetWilliam Heath Davis
De Haro StreetFrancisco de HaroFirst alcalde (mayor) of Yerba Buena (now San Francisco)
Dirk Dirksen PlaceDirk DirksenFormerly Rowland Street (renamed in 2009)[12]
Divisadero StreetFrom the SpanishIn Spanish, divisadero means a point from which one can look far. The Spanish name for Lone Mountain was El Divisadero.[9]
Dolores StreetMission DoloresAlso named after the creek that used to run through the Mission, Arroyo de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, or "Our Lady of Sorrows Creek."
Duboce ParkVictor Donglain DuboceDuboce (1856–1900) was a member of the Board of Supervisors and a colonel in the Spanish–American War.[13]
Duboce StreetVictor Donglain DuboceSee Duboce Park (called Ridley Street prior to 1900).
Duncan StreetChapman DuncanDuncan was a Mormon acquaintance of John M. Horner, the founder of Noe Valley (as Horner's addition), who gave Duncan Street its name.
Eddy StreetWilliam M. EddyEddy was City Surveyor in 1850. He completed the survey of the city between Larkin and Ninth streets and the bay.[9]
Elizabeth StreetElizabeth HornerWife of John Meirs Horner, owner of Horner's Addition, the original name of Noe Valley.
Embarcadero PlazaJustin HermanFormerly Justin Herman Plaza, named for Justin Herman, who headed the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency from 1959 to 1971. In the 1960s, Herman's urban renewal policies displaced many African-Americans in San Francisco's Western Addition. The name was changed in 2017.[14]
Evans AvenueRobley D. Evans
Fair Oaks StreetBattle of Fair Oaks
Fallon PlaceThomas Fallon
Farnsworth LanePhilo Farnsworth
Fell StreetWilliam FellFell was a Danish immigrant who came to San Francisco in 1849. He was a merchant and member of the Society of California Pioneers.[15]
Fella PlaceMay have been named for the madame of a brothel located in the alley.[5]
Fillmore StreetMillard Fillmore
Flood Avenue James C. Flood
Folsom StreetCaptain Joseph Folsom
Franklin StreetBenjamin Franklin
Fremont StreetJohn Charles Fremont
Frida Kahlo WayFrida KahloFormerly Phelan Avenue, named for James D. Phelan. Citing racism on the part of Phelan's son, James Duval Phelan, the name was changed in 2018.[16]
Fulton StreetRobert Fulton
Funston AvenueFrederick FunstonFunston Avenue, between 12th and 14th Avenue, should be 13th Avenue, but the number 13 is considered bad luck.[6]
Geary Street[note 1]John W. Geary
Gellert DriveCarl and Fred Gellert, owners of the Standard Building Company that developed Lakeshore Park
Gene Friend WayGene Friend was a long-time San Francisco public servant.[19]
Glen ParkGlen Canyon Park
Golden GateGolden Gate in ConstantinopleJohn C. Fremont named the Golden Gate after one of the Walls of Constantinople. The Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Ave. take their names from the Golden Gate.[5]
Gough StreetCharles H. GoughGough, a milkman, was one of three aldermen appointed in 1855 to lay out and name the streets of the Western Addition.[20]
Grant AvenueUlysses S. GrantFormerly called Calle De La Fundacion[5] and Dupont Street for Samuel Francis Du Pont.
Green StreetTalbot H. GreenGreen (real name Paul Geddes, an embezzler) was a pioneer, city councilman, treasurer of the Society of California Pioneers, and mayoral candidate.[21]
Guerrero StreetFrancisco GuerreroFormer alcalde (mayor) of Yerba Buena (now San Francisco)
Haight StreetWeltha Ann Buell HaightHaight managed the San Francisco Protestant Orphan Asylum on Haight Street near Market Street.[22]
Harding RoadWarren G. Harding
Harriet StreetMay have been named for a prostitute who worked in the alley.[5]
Harrison StreetEdward H. HarrisonHarrison, a lawyer, was a quartermaster's clerk for the First New York volunteers and collector of the port.[9]
Hayes StreetThomas HayesHayes was a county clerk from 1853 to 1856; he started the first Market Street Railway franchise.[5]
Hayes ValleyThomas Hayes
Hickory StreetThe Hickory TreeSeveral Hayes Valley streets are named for plants and trees.[6]
Howard StreetWilliam Davis Merry Howard
Hyde StreetGeorge HydeHyde was the mayor of San Francisco in 1847–1848.
Ina Coolbrith ParkIna Coolbrith
Ingalls StreetRufus Ingalls
Islais CreekFrom a Salinan word, slay or islay, a type of wild cherry.
Irving StreetWashington Irving
Isadora Duncan LaneIsadora Duncan
Ivy StreetIvySeveral Hayes Valley streets are named for plants and trees.[6]
Jack Kerouac AlleyJack KerouacFormerly Adler Place (renamed in 1988)
Jack Micheline AlleyJack MichelineFormerly Pardee Alley (renamed in 2003)
Jackson StreetAndrew Jackson
Jefferson StreetThomas Jefferson
Jerrold AvenueDouglas William Jerrold
Jersey StreetNew JerseyNamed for the state where John Meirs Horner, owner of Horner's Addition, the original name of Noe Valley, was born.
Jessie StreetJessie Benton FremontJessie Benton Fremont was the wife of John Charles Fremont.[5]
John F. Shelley DriveJohn F. Shelley
John Muir DriveJohn Muir
Jones StreetElbert P. JonesJones was editor of the California Star and secretary of the town council.
Joost AvenueBehrend JoostJoost built the first electric railway going south from downtown San Francisco.
José Sarria CourtJosé SarriaAn honorary section of 16th Street in the Castro neighborhood, José Sarria was an early gay and transgender rights pioneer in San Francisco.
Juan Bautista CircleJuan Bautista de Anza
Judah StreetTheodore Judah
Junipero Serra BoulevardJunipero Serra
Kearny StreetStephen W. KearnyThe street is not named for Denis Kearney.
Keyes AvenueErasmus D. Keyes
Kezar DriveMary KezarKezar donated $100,000 to the San Francisco Park Commission in 1922 and funded the construction of Kezar Stadium.
Kezar StadiumMary KezarSee Kezar Drive.
King StreetThomas Butler King
Starr King WayThomas Starr KingThomas Starr King was a minister credited with preventing California from becoming a separate republic during the Civil War.
Kirkham StreetGeneral Ralph W. KirkhamKirkham was a hero of the Mexican–American War.
Laguna StreetWasherwoman's LagoonNamed for a lagoon located at the intersection of Greenwich and Gough Streets.[23]
Laguna Honda BoulevardLaguna honda means "deep lagoon" in Spanish.
Laguna Honda ReservoirLaguna Honda Reservoir
Lane StreetLevi Cooper Lane
Lapham WayRoger Lapham
Lapu Lapu StreetLapulapu
Larkin StreetThomas Larkin
Larsen PeakCarl Gustave Larsen (1844–1928), Danish immigrant immigrant who donated the land for Golden Gate Heights Park, where Larsen Peak is located.[24]
Laussat StreetPierre Clément de Laussat
Lawton StreetHenry Ware Lawton
Leavenworth StreetThaddeus M. LeavenworthLeavenworth was mayor from October 1848 to August 1849.
Le Conte AvenueJohn Le Conte
Lech Walesa StreetLech WałęsaFormerly part of Ivy Street, it carried the name from 1986 to 2014.[25]
Leese StreetJacob P. Leese
Leidesdorff StreetWilliam Leidesdorff

Leidesdorff was biracial U.S. citizens in California of Carib, Danish and Jewish ancestry and a successful enterprising businessman. 1845 he was President of the San Francisco school board and also elected as City Treasurer. The part of the street between Pine and California was formerly called Pauper's Alley.[26]

Lendrum StreetJohn LendrumLendrum was commander of the Presidio in 1858 and Fort Point in 1861.
Liggett AvenueHunter Liggett
Linares AvenueYgnacio Antonio LinaresLinares was a member of Juan Bautista de Anza's 1775–1776 expedition to Alta California.
Lincoln BoulevardAbraham Lincoln
Lincoln CourtAbraham Lincoln
Lincoln WayAbraham Lincoln
Linden StreetThe Linden treeSeveral Hayes Valley streets are named for plants and trees.[6]
Lombard StreetLombard Street in PhiladelphiaAlso said to be named for Lombard banking.
Lover's Lane1806 love affairNamed for the doomed romance of Maria de la Concepcion Arguello, granddaughter of José Darío Argüello, and Nicolai Petrovich Rezanov, chamberlain to the czar of Russia.[5]
Lyon StreetNathaniel Lyon
Lundy's LaneBattle of Lundy's Lane
Maiden LaneNamed after the Maiden Lane in London or New York.
Main StreetCharles MainMain (1817–1906) was a wealthy ship chandler and harnessmaker.[27]
Market StreetNamed by surveyor Jasper O'Farrell after Market Street in Philadelphia.
Martin AvenueMartin RonRon was a land surveyor. The street was named in 2016.[28]
Mason StreetRichard Barnes Mason
McAllister StreetMatthew Hall McAllister
Mission StreetNamed for Mission Dolores.
Montcalm StreetLouis-Joseph de Montcalm
Montgomery StreetJohn B. Montgomery
Moraga StreetJosé Joaquín Moraga
Moultrie StreetWilliam Moultrie
Mount SutroAdolph Sutro
Nelson Rising WayNelson Rising
Noe StreetJosé de Jesús NoéThe last Mexican alcalde (mayor) of Yerba Buena (now San Francisco)
Noriega StreetJosé de la Guerra y NoriegaGovernor of Alta California under Mexican rule
Octavia Street[note 2]Octavia GoughSister of Charles H. Gough for whom Gough Street is named. See Gough Street.[30]
O'Farrell StreetJasper O'Farrell
Ortega StreetJosé Francisco Ortega
O'Shaughnessy BoulevardMichael O'Shaughnessy
Otis StreetJames Otis
Pacheco StreetSalvio PachecoOwner of the Rancho Monte del Diablo in the East Bay.
Palou AvenueFrancisco Palóu
Patterson Street William Patterson Pioneer floriculturist; Golden Acre Nursery established 1885 on Bernal Heights
Pierce StreetFranklin Pierce
Point Lobos AvenueLobo means "wolf" in Spanish. Spanish explorers named Point Lobos after the barking of sea lions, which sounded to them like wolves.[6]
Polk StreetJames K. Polk
Portola AvenueGaspar de Portolà
Potrero AvenueFrom the Spanish potreroIn Spanish, potrero means "pasture." The Potrero comprised grazing land for common use.[31]
Powell StreetDr. William J. PowellPowell was a surgeon of the U. S. sloop of war Warren, which was active during the conquest of California.[30]
Precita AvenuePrecita Creek[32]
Ramona AvenueRamona, the novel
Reservoir StreetNamed for a reservoir formerly located at Church and Market Streets, the location of Reservoir Street. Water for the reservoir came from a spring behind Sutro Reservoir, the headwaters of Laguna Honda.[33]
Rivera StreetFernando Rivera y MoncadaGovernor of Alta California under Mexican rule
Rizal StreetJosé Rizal
Rolph StreetJames Rolph
Rose StreetThe roseSeveral Hayes Valley streets are named for plants and trees.[6]
Sanchez StreetFamily of José Antonio Sanchez[34]
Sansome StreetSansom Street in Philadelphia[23]
Scott StreetWinfield Scott
Selby StreetThomas Henry Selby
Shafter AvenueJames McMillan Shafter
Sheridan StreetGeneral Philip Henry Sheridan
Shotwell StreetJ.M. ShotwellShotwell was a cashier at Alsop & Co.’s Bank, secretary of the Merchant's Exchange, and treasurer of the San Francisco Homestead Union.[9]
Shrader Street.A.J. ShraderShrader was a city supervisor from 1865 to 1873.
Simonds LoopGeorge S. Simonds
Sloat BoulevardCommodore John D. Sloat
Spear StreetNathan Spear
Stanyan StreetCharles H. StanyanStanyan was a city supervisor from 1866 to 1869.
Steiner StreetL. SteinerSteiner was a waterman (water deliverer).[30]
Steuart StreetWilliam Morris StewartBorn Stewart, changed his last name to Steuart upon arriving in San Francisco in 1850.
Stevenson StreetJonathan D. Stevenson
Stockton StreetRobert F. Stockton
Sutter StreetJohn Sutter
Taraval StreetSigismundo Taraval
Taylor StreetZachary Taylor
Terry A Francois BoulevardTerry Francois
Thomas AvenueGeneral George H. ThomasGeneral Thomas was stationed in the Presidio in 1869.
Tom Waddell StreetTom WaddellFormerly part of Ivy Street, it was renamed in 2014.[25]
Tonquin StreetThe American merchant ship Tonquin
Townsend StreetDr. John TownsendTownsend was a physician in early San Francisco; he practiced in the city for 66 years.[35]
Treat AvenueGeorge TreatTreat (1819–1907) was an early farmer in the Mission District, businessman, abolitionist, and horse racing enthusiast.[31]
Turk StreetFrank Turk
Ulloa StreetAntonio de Ulloa
Union SquareSo named because it was used for rallies in support of the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Valencia StreetCandelario ValenciaOwner of the Rancho Acalanes which is now Lafayette, California.
Vallejo StreetMariano Guadalupe Vallejo
Van Ness AvenueJames Van Ness
Via FerlinghettiLawrence FerlinghettiFormerly Price Row, renamed in 1994.
Vicente StreetVicente Yáñez Pinzón
Vicksburg StreetSiege of Vicksburg
Waller StreetMrs. R.H. WallerWaller managed the San Francisco Protestant Orphan Asylum on Haight Street near Market Street.[22]
Washington StreetGeorge Washington
Wawona StreetWawona, California
Webb StreetStephen Palfrey Webb
Webster StreetDaniel Webster[9]
Winfield StreetWinfield ScottOriginally called Chapultepec Street.[5]
Woodward StreetRobert B. WoodwardWoodward was proprietor of Woodward's Gardens.[36]
Yerba Buena GardensYerba buena ("good herb" in Spanish) was the name the Spanish missionaries gave to the local wild mint species Clinopodium douglasii. It was the name of the anchorage at Yerba Buena Cove and San Francisco's first civilian town, which grew into the modern city, located at the cove.
Yorba StreetJosé Antonio Yorba
Zampa LaneAl Zampa
Close

See also

Further reading

  • Henry C. Carlisle (2010). "Early San Francisco History from Street Names". Museum of the City of San Francisco. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
  • John D. Casey Jr. (1996). "San Francisco Street Names". Archived from the original on 2010-09-27. Retrieved 2010-11-23.

Notes

  1. Geary Boulevard is the name west of Van Ness Ave; before 1909, the road west of Presidio Ave was named Point Lobos Ave.[17] In 1960, Geary Street between Van Ness and Presidio Aves was also renamed Geary Boulevard.[18]
  2. Octavia Boulevard, built in 2005, lies between the northbound and southbound lanes of Octavia Street for its entire four-block length.[29]

References

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