List of San Francisco placename etymologies facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

San Francisco is a famous city in California, known for its Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and unique neighborhoods. But have you ever wondered how its streets, parks, and landmarks got their names? Many of them are named after important people, historical events, or even plants and animals! Let's explore the stories behind some of San Francisco's most interesting place names.

Streets Named After People
Streets Named After Places and Events
Streets with Unique Stories
Streets Named After Plants and Trees
See also

Streets Named After People

Many streets in San Francisco honor important figures from its past. These include explorers, politicians, and pioneers who helped shape the city.

Explorers and Leaders

Anza Street, Juan Bautista Circle, and Linares Avenue are all named after people from the 1775-1776 expedition led by Juan Bautista de Anza. This expedition helped establish the first Spanish settlements in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Balboa Street honors Vasco Núñez de Balboa, a Spanish explorer who was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas.
Cabrillo Street is named after Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese explorer who sailed along the California coast in 1542.
Portola Avenue remembers Gaspar de Portolà, a Spanish explorer and governor of California who led the first European land expedition to the San Francisco Bay in 1769.
Rivera Street and Ulloa Street are named after Fernando Rivera y Moncada and Antonio de Ulloa, who were also important figures in early Spanish California.

Early Mayors and Officials

Bartlett Street is named for Washington Allon Bartlett, who was San Francisco's very first mayor, known as an alcalde, in the early days.
De Haro Street honors Francisco de Haro, the first alcalde of Yerba Buena, which was the original name for San Francisco.
Guerrero Street is named after Francisco Guerrero, another early alcalde of Yerba Buena.
Hyde Street remembers George Hyde, who served as mayor of San Francisco from 1847 to 1848.
Leavenworth Street is named after Thaddeus M. Leavenworth, who was mayor from 1848 to 1849.
Noe Street honors José de Jesús Noé, who was the last Mexican alcalde of Yerba Buena before California became part of the United States.
Van Ness Avenue is named after James Van Ness, who was mayor of San Francisco in 1855.

Pioneers and City Builders

Brannan Street is named after Samuel Brannan, an important early settler and businessman during the California Gold Rush.
Buchanan Street is likely named after John C. Buchanan, a local pioneer, rather than President James Buchanan, as an older map shows the street name before the president took office.
Eddy Street honors William M. Eddy, who was the City Surveyor in 1850 and helped map out much of the city.
Fell Street is named after William Fell, a Danish immigrant and merchant who arrived in San Francisco in 1849.
Folsom Street is named after Joseph Libbey Folsom, a captain who played a key role in the early development of San Francisco.
Gough Street and Octavia Street are named after Charles H. Gough, a milkman, and his sister, Octavia. Charles helped plan and name streets in the Western Addition neighborhood.
Green Street is named after Talbot H. Green, an early pioneer and city councilman.
Harrison Street honors Edward H. Harrison, a lawyer who was involved in the port and military.
Hayes Street and Hayes Valley are named after Thomas Hayes, who was a county clerk and started the city's first streetcar system.
Howard Street is named after William Davis Merry Howard, an important figure in early San Francisco.
Jones Street is named after Elbert P. Jones, an editor and secretary of the town council.
Larkin Street is named after Thomas O. Larkin, an American businessman and diplomat in California during the Mexican-American War.
Leidesdorff Street honors William Leidesdorff, a successful businessman and one of the first biracial U.S. citizens in California. He was also president of the school board and city treasurer.
Main Street is named after Charles Main, a wealthy ship chandler and harness maker.
Mason Street is named after Richard Barnes Mason, a U.S. Navy commander.
McAllister Street is named after Matthew Hall McAllister, a prominent lawyer.
Montgomery Street is named after John B. Montgomery, a U.S. Navy commander.
Powell Street is named after Dr. William J. Powell, a surgeon on a U.S. Navy ship during the conquest of California.
Sansome Street is named after Sansom Street in Philadelphia, a city that influenced San Francisco's early layout.
Shotwell Street is named after J.M. Shotwell, a cashier and secretary of the Merchant's Exchange.
Shrader Street is named after A.J. Shrader, a city supervisor from 1865 to 1873.
Spear Street is named after Nathan Spear, an early merchant.
Stanyan Street is named after Charles H. Stanyan, a city supervisor from 1866 to 1869.
Steiner Street is named after L. Steiner, who delivered water in the early city.
Steuart Street is named after William Morris Stewart, an early settler who changed his name upon arriving in San Francisco.
Stevenson Street is named after Jonathan D. Stevenson, a military leader.
Sutter Street is named after John Sutter, a Swiss pioneer who played a significant role in the California Gold Rush.
Taylor Street is named after Zachary Taylor, who became the 12th U.S. President.
Townsend Street is named after Dr. John Townsend, an early physician in San Francisco.
Turk Street is named after Frank Turk, an early resident.
Webb Street is named after Stephen Palfrey Webb, an early settler.
Webster Street is named after Daniel Webster, a famous American statesman.
Woodward Street is named after Robert B. Woodward, who owned a popular amusement park called Woodward's Gardens.
Yorba Street is named after José Antonio Yorba, a prominent Californio rancher.

Presidents and Military Leaders

Alvarado Street is named after Juan Bautista Alvarado, a governor of Alta California under Mexican rule.
Baker Street is named after Edward Dickinson Baker, a U.S. Senator and military officer.
Buchanan Street was once thought to be named after James Buchanan, a U.S. President, but it's more likely named after a local pioneer.
Burnett Avenue is named after Peter Burnett, the first governor of California.
Fillmore Street is named after Millard Fillmore, the 13th U.S. President.
Fremont Street is named after John Charles Fremont, an American explorer, military officer, and politician.
Grant Avenue is named after Ulysses S. Grant, a famous Union General during the Civil War and later a U.S. President. It was formerly called Dupont Street.
Harding Road is named after Warren G. Harding, the 29th U.S. President.
Jackson Street is named after Andrew Jackson, the 7th U.S. President.
Jefferson Street is named after Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd U.S. President.
Kearny Street is named after Stephen W. Kearny, a U.S. Army general during the Mexican-American War.
Keyes Avenue is named after Erasmus D. Keyes, a U.S. Army general.
Kirkham Street is named after General Ralph W. Kirkham, a hero of the Mexican-American War.
Lawton Street is named after Henry Ware Lawton, a U.S. Army officer.
Liggett Avenue is named after Hunter Liggett, a U.S. Army general.
Lincoln Boulevard, Lincoln Court, and Lincoln Way are all named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President.
Lyon Street is named after Nathaniel Lyon, a Union General during the Civil War.
Pierce Street is named after Franklin Pierce, the 14th U.S. President.
Polk Street is named after James K. Polk, the 11th U.S. President.
Scott Street and Winfield Street are both named after Winfield Scott, a U.S. Army general.
Sheridan Street is named after Philip Sheridan, a Union General during the Civil War.
Sloat Boulevard is named after Commodore John D. Sloat, who claimed California for the United States.
Stockton Street is named after Robert F. Stockton, a U.S. Navy commodore.
Thomas Avenue is named after George Henry Thomas, a Union General.
Washington Street is named after George Washington, the first U.S. President.

Local Figures and Community Heroes

Alemany Boulevard is named after Joseph Sadoc Alemany, the first Archbishop of San Francisco.
Ambrose Bierce Alley is named after Ambrose Bierce, a famous American writer. It was renamed in 1988.
Ashbury Street is named after Munroe Ashbury, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Bernal Heights and Bernal Heights Boulevard are named after José Cornelio Bernal, who received a land grant in the area in 1839.
Bluxome Street is named after Isaac Bluxome, Jr., who was involved in maintaining order in early San Francisco.
Bonifacio Street is named after Andrés Bonifacio, a Filipino revolutionary hero.
Bradford Street and Brewster Street in Bernal Heights are named after William Bradford and William Brewster, two of the Pilgrim Fathers who came to America on the Mayflower.
Brenham Place is named after Charles James Brenham, an early mayor of San Francisco.
Broderick Street is named after David C. Broderick, a U.S. Senator from California.
Bryant Street is named after Edwin Bryant, an early alcalde of San Francisco.
Bush Street is named after J.P. Bush, possibly a cabin boy who assisted a city mapper, or a physician named Jonathan Platt Bush.
Capp Street is named after C.S. Capp, who was secretary of the first homestead association in San Francisco.
Castro Street is named after José Castro, a Californio leader who opposed U.S. rule and was an alcalde of Alta California.
Chenery Street is named after Richard Chenery, a gold rush pioneer.
Clark Street is named after William S. Clark, an early San Francisco resident.
Cole Street is named after Cornelius Cole, a U.S. Senator from California.
Coleman Street is named after William Tell Coleman, a prominent businessman.
Colin P Kelly Junior Street is named after Colin Kelly, an American pilot.
Cora Street is named after Charles Cora, a gambler.
Davidson Street is named after George Davidson, a geographer.
Davis Street is named after William Heath Davis, an early American merchant in California.
Dirk Dirksen Place is named after Dirk Dirksen, a music promoter. It was formerly Rowland Street.
Duboce Park and Duboce Street are named after Victor Donglain Duboce, a member of the Board of Supervisors and a colonel in the Spanish-American War.
Duncan Street is named after Chapman Duncan, an acquaintance of John M. Horner, who founded Noe Valley.
Elizabeth Street is named after Elizabeth Horner, wife of John Meirs Horner, the original owner of the land that became Noe Valley.
Evans Avenue is named after Robley D. Evans, an admiral.
Fallon Place is named after Thomas Fallon, an American soldier.
Farnsworth Lane is named after Philo Farnsworth, an inventor who contributed to television.
Frida Kahlo Way is named after Frida Kahlo, a famous Mexican painter. It was renamed in 2018 from Phelan Avenue due to concerns about the original namesake.
Fulton Street is named after Robert Fulton, who invented the steamboat.
Funston Avenue is named after Frederick Funston, a U.S. Army general. Interestingly, it's between 12th and 14th Avenues, skipping 13th because of a superstition about the number 13.
Geary Street is named after John W. Geary, the first mayor of San Francisco after California became a state.
Gene Friend Way is named after Gene Friend, a long-time public servant in San Francisco.
Haight Street is named after Weltha Ann Buell Haight, who managed an orphan asylum on the street.
Harriet Street is also named after a local figure.
Ina Coolbrith Park is named after Ina Coolbrith, California's first Poet Laureate.
Ingalls Street is named after Rufus Ingalls, a U.S. Army officer.
Isadora Duncan Lane is named after Isadora Duncan, a famous dancer.
Jack Kerouac Alley is named after Jack Kerouac, a famous American writer. It was formerly Adler Place.
Jack Micheline Alley is named after Jack Micheline, a poet. It was formerly Pardee Alley.
Jerrold Avenue is named after Douglas William Jerrold, a British writer.
Jessie Street is named after Jessie Benton Fremont, the wife of explorer John Charles Fremont.
John F. Shelley Drive is named after John F. Shelley, a former mayor of San Francisco.
John Muir Drive is named after John Muir, a famous naturalist and advocate for wilderness preservation.
Joost Avenue is named after Behrend Joost, who built the first electric railway going south from downtown San Francisco.
José Sarria Court is an honorary section of 16th Street named after José Sarria, an important pioneer for gay and transgender rights in San Francisco.
Judah Street is named after Theodore Judah, an engineer who helped build the First Transcontinental Railroad.
Junipero Serra Boulevard is named after Junipero Serra, a Spanish missionary who founded many missions in California.
Kezar Drive and Kezar Stadium are named after Mary Kezar, who donated money to build the stadium.
King Street is named after Thomas Butler King, an American politician.
Starr King Way is named after Thomas Starr King, a minister who helped keep California loyal to the Union during the American Civil War.
Lapham Way is named after Roger Lapham, a former mayor of San Francisco.
Lapu Lapu Street is named after Lapulapu, a Filipino hero.
Laussat Street is named after Pierre Clément de Laussat, a French colonial official.
Le Conte Avenue is named after John Le Conte, a physicist.
Lech Walesa Street was formerly part of Ivy Street and named after Lech Wałęsa, a Polish leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Leese Street is named after Jacob P. Leese, an early American settler in California.
Lendrum Street is named after John Lendrum, a commander at the Presidio and Fort Point.
Main Street is named after Charles Main, a wealthy ship chandler and harness maker.
Martin Avenue is named after Martin Ron, a land surveyor.
Montcalm Street is named after Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, a French military commander.
Moraga Street is named after José Joaquín Moraga, a Spanish explorer.
Moultrie Street is named after William Moultrie, an American Revolutionary War general.
Nelson Rising Way is named after Nelson Rising, a real estate developer.
Noriega Street is named after José de la Guerra y Noriega, a governor of Alta California.
O'Farrell Street is named after Jasper O'Farrell, a surveyor who laid out much of San Francisco.
Ortega Street is named after José Francisco Ortega, a Spanish explorer.
O'Shaughnessy Boulevard is named after Michael O'Shaughnessy, a city engineer who designed important water systems.
Otis Street is named after James Otis, a former mayor.
Pacheco Street is named after Salvio Pacheco, a ranch owner in the East Bay.
Palou Avenue is named after Francisco Palóu, a Spanish missionary.
Patterson Street is named after William Patterson, a pioneer who started a plant nursery in Bernal Heights.
Precita Avenue is named after Precita Creek, a natural waterway.
Rolph Street is named after James Rolph, a former mayor of San Francisco and governor of California.
Sanchez Street is named after the family of José Antonio Sanchez, an early settler.
Selby Street is named after Thomas Henry Selby, a prominent businessman.
Shafter Avenue is named after James McMillan Shafter, a lawyer and politician.
Simonds Loop is named after George S. Simonds, a U.S. Army general.
Terry A Francois Boulevard is named after Terry Francois, a civil rights attorney.
Tom Waddell Street was formerly part of Ivy Street and renamed in 2014 to honor Tom Waddell, an Olympic athlete and activist.
Treat Avenue is named after George Treat, an early farmer, businessman, and abolitionist in the Mission District.
Valencia Street is named after Candelario Valencia, a ranch owner.
Vallejo Street is named after Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, a Californio military commander and politician.
Via Ferlinghetti is named after Lawrence Ferlinghetti, a famous poet and bookstore owner. It was formerly Price Row.
Vicente Street is named after Vicente Yáñez Pinzón, a Spanish explorer.
Waller Street is named after Mrs. R.H. Waller, who managed an orphan asylum on the street.
Wawona Street is named after Wawona, California, a community near Yosemite National Park.
Zampa Lane is named after Al Zampa, a famous bridge builder.

Streets Named After Places and Events

Some San Francisco streets get their names from other cities, states, or important historical battles.

Bennington Street is named after the Battle of Bennington during the American Revolutionary War.
California Street is named after the state of California itself.
Chattanooga Street is named after the Chattanooga Campaign, a series of battles during the American Civil War.
Embarcadero Plaza was formerly named Justin Herman Plaza, but its name was changed in 2017.
Fair Oaks Street is named after the Battle of Seven Pines (also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks) during the American Civil War.
Golden Gate refers to the strait that connects San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. John C. Fremont named it after the Golden Gate in Constantinople, a famous entrance to that ancient city. The Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Avenue get their names from this strait.
Jersey Street is named after New Jersey, the home state of John Meirs Horner, who owned the land that became Noe Valley.
Lombard Street is named after Lombard Street in Philadelphia, or possibly after Lombard banking.
Lundy's Lane is named after the Battle of Lundy's Lane during the War of 1812.
Maiden Lane is named after similar streets in London or New York.
Market Street was named by surveyor Jasper O'Farrell after Market Street in Philadelphia.
Mission Street is named after Mission San Francisco de Asís, also known as Mission Dolores, one of the oldest buildings in San Francisco.
Union Square is named because it was used for rallies supporting the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Vicksburg Street is named after the Siege of Vicksburg, a major battle in the American Civil War.

Streets with Unique Stories

Some street names have very interesting or unusual origins.

Alamo Square is named for a cottonwood tree, called alamo in Spanish, that grew on Alamo Hill.
Balance Street is named after a storeship called "The Balance." This ship arrived in San Francisco in 1849 and was later broken apart and buried where the street now lies.
Cesar Chavez Street was formerly named "Army Street" because it ended at the Army Pier. It was renamed in 1995 to honor César Chávez, a famous labor leader and civil rights activist.
Divisadero Street comes from the Spanish word divisadero, meaning "a point from which one can look far." It refers to the great views from Lone Mountain.
Dolores Street is named after Mission Dolores and a creek that used to run through the area, called Arroyo de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, or "Our Lady of Sorrows Creek."
Islais Creek gets its name from a Salinan word, slay or islay, which refers to a type of wild cherry tree.
Laguna Street is named for Washerwoman's Lagoon, a lagoon that used to be at the intersection of Greenwich and Gough Streets.
Laguna Honda Boulevard means "deep lagoon" in Spanish, referring to a deep lagoon in the area.
Lover's Lane is named after a sad love story from 1806 between Maria de la Concepcion Arguello and Nicolai Petrovich Rezanov.
Point Lobos Avenue gets its name from the Spanish word lobo, meaning "wolf." Spanish explorers thought the barking of sea lions sounded like wolves.
Potrero Avenue comes from the Spanish word potrero, meaning "pasture." The area was once used as grazing land.
Ramona Avenue is named after Ramona, a popular novel.
Reservoir Street is named after a reservoir that used to be located at Church and Market Streets.
Tonquin Street is named after the American merchant ship Tonquin.
Yerba Buena Gardens is named after yerba buena ("good herb" in Spanish), which refers to several aromatic plants, including mint. Yerba Buena was San Francisco's original name.

Streets Named After Plants and Trees

Several streets, especially in the Hayes Valley area, are named after different types of plants and trees.

Birch Street is named after the Birch tree.
Hickory Street is named after the Hickory Tree.
Ivy Street is named after Ivy.
Linden Street is named after The Linden tree.
Rose Street is named after the rose flower.