History of Singapore Street Names
- Famous Street Names in Singapore
- Meaning Behind Singapore Street Names
- How Are Singapore Streets Named?
- Old vs. New Singapore Street Names
- 20 Most Unique Street Names: Singapore Streets and Their Origins
- List of Colonial Street Names in Singapore
- Famous Food Streets in Singapore
- Singapore Street Names List In Chinese
FAQs on Singapore Street Names

Singapore Street Names

Q: How are streets named in Singapore?

Singapore follows a structured street-naming system: Historical & Cultural Significance – Many streets are named after colonial figures, local leaders, or significant historical events . Geographical Features – Some street names reflect their proximity to rivers, hills, or landmarks . Malay, Chinese, and Indian Influences – Many names have origins in local dialects and languages . Government Approval – The Street Naming Advisory Committee oversees the process to ensure relevance and clarity.

By Karan Singh Bisht

Updated on 16 May 2025, 14:22 IST

Singapore’s streets have a rich history, reflecting its colonial past, cultural diversity, and modern transformation. From historic streets to bustling shopping avenues, here’s everything you need to know about Singapore’s street names.

History of Singapore Street Names

Singapore’s street names date back to the British colonial era (1819-1963).
Early names were influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European settlers.
Many streets were named after British governors, landmarks, and economic activities.
Post-independence (after 1965), new streets were named to reflect Singapore’s identity and heritage.

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Famous Street Names in Singapore

Some of the most famous streets in Singapore include:

Street Name	Why It’s Famous
Orchard Road	Singapore’s top shopping and entertainment street
Marina Bay Boulevard	Iconic skyline, luxury hotels, and attractions
Clarke Quay	Vibrant nightlife, restaurants, and riverside views
Bugis Street	Historic shopping and cultural district
Haji Lane	Indie boutiques, street art, and cafes

Meaning Behind Singapore Street Names

Jalan (Malay) → "Road" (e.g., Jalan Besar = "Big Road")
Lorong (Malay) → "Lane" (e.g., Lorong Chuan = "Chuan Lane")
Tanjong (Malay) → "Cape" (e.g., Tanjong Pagar = "Cargo Cape")
Serangoon (Indian origin) → Named after a bird species Telok
Blangah (Malay) → “Cooking pot bay”

How Are Singapore Streets Named?

Singapore follows a structured street-naming process:
Historical & Cultural Relevance – Names reflect heritage, significant figures, and traditional influences.
Geographical Features – Many names describe landscapes, rivers, and locations.
Government Policies – The Street Naming Advisory Committee approves new names.
Public Nominations – Citizens can suggest street names for new developments.

Old vs. New Singapore Street Names

Old Street Name	New Street Name	Reason for Change
Selegie Road	Unchanged	Retained for historical significance
Serangoon Road	Unchanged	One of Singapore’s oldest roads
Raffles Boulevard	Unchanged	Named after Sir Stamford Raffles
Clive Street	Jalan Sultan	Localization of colonial names
Church Street	Market Street	Reflects economic importance
Trafalgar Street	No longer exists	Redevelopment of the area
Telok Ayer Street	Unchanged	Preserved as part of heritage district
Chulia Street	Unchanged	Named after South Indian traders
Dunlop Street	Unchanged	Named after a British trader with Indian connections
Beach Road	Unchanged	Historic coastal road, though land reclamation has altered its original geography

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20 Most Unique Street Names: Singapore Streets and Their Origins

Street Name	Origin / Meaning
Keong Saik Road	Named after Tan Keong Saik, a businessman and philanthropist
Haji Lane	Named after Muslim pilgrims (Hajis) who lived in the area
Ann Siang Hill	Named after Chia Ann Siang, a wealthy Chinese businessman
Club Street	Once home to exclusive Chinese clubs and societies
Dempsey Road	Named after General Sir Miles Dempsey, a British army officer
Emerald Hill	Formerly a nutmeg plantation, named for its lush greenery
Jalan Besar	Malay for "Big Road," reflecting its prominence
Kampong Bahru Road	Malay for "New Village"
Pasir Panjang Road	Malay for "Long Beach," referring to the coastal area
Serangoon Road	Believed to be named after an indigenous bird species
Tanjong Pagar	Malay for "Cape of Stakes," referring to fishing stakes used in the area
Telok Blangah Road	Malay for "Cooking Pot Bay," likely due to the shape of the bay
Bukit Timah Road	Malay for "Tin Hill," though no tin deposits were found
Orchard Road	Named after fruit orchards that once lined the area
Bugis Street	Named after the Bugis traders from Indonesia
Short Street	Named for its unusually short length
Joo Chiat Road	Named after Chew Joo Chiat, a wealthy Chinese landowner
Beach Road	Originally along the coastline before land reclamation
Lavender Street	Named after the pleasant smell from local laundries
Victoria Street	Named after Queen Victoria of Britain

List of Colonial Street Names in Singapore

Street Name	Colonial Origin
Raffles Place	Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of modern Singapore
Victoria Street	Named after Queen Victoria of Britain
Cecil Street	Named after Lord Cecil, a British statesman
Napier Road	Named after William Napier, the first lawyer of Singapore
Bras Basah Road	Derived from the Malay term "Beras Basah," meaning "wet rice"
Clive Street	Named after Robert Clive, a British colonial administrator in India
Church Street	Named due to the presence of early colonial-era churches
Fullerton Road	Named after Robert Fullerton, the first Governor of the Straits Settlements
Robinson Road	Named after Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson, a British colonial governor
Stamford Road	Named after Sir Stamford Raffles
Havelock Road	Named after Sir Henry Havelock, a British general
Dalhousie Lane	Named after Lord Dalhousie, a British governor-general of India
Anderson Road	Named after Sir John Anderson, a governor of the Straits Settlements
Somerset Road	Named after Lord Charles Somerset, a British official

Famous Food Streets in Singapore

Street Name	Specialty
Smith Street (Chinatown Food Street)	Known for authentic hawker food, including satay and Hainanese chicken rice
Newton Food Centre	Famous for BBQ seafood, chilli crab, and oyster omelette
Geylang Road	Popular for frog porridge, durian stalls, and local street food
Tiong Bahru Market	Offers traditional Hokkien Mee, Chwee Kueh, and famous Tiong Bahru Pau
Old Airport Road Food Centre	Known for local delights such as char kway teow, laksa, and prawn noodles
East Coast Lagoon Food Village	Specializes in grilled seafood and satay under a coastal setting
Maxwell Food Centre	Famous for Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice and other traditional dishes
Tekka Centre	Known for Indian cuisine, including biryani, roti prata, and fish head curry
Lau Pa Sat	Popular for satay street, serving grilled skewers in an iconic setting
Amoy Street Food Centre	Offers Michelin Bib Gourmand hawker stalls with a variety of dishes

Singapore Street Names List In Chinese

English Name	Chinese Name	Pinyin
Orchard Road	乌节路	Wūjié Lù
Marina Bay Boulevard	滨海湾大道	Bīnhǎi Wān Dàdào
Clarke Quay	克拉码头	Kèlā Mǎtóu
Bugis Street	武吉士街	Wǔjíshì Jiē
Haji Lane	哈芝巷	Hāzhī Xiàng
Chinatown Street	牛车水街	Niúchēshuǐ Jiē
Little India’s Serangoon Road	小印度实龙岗路	Xiǎo Yìndù Shílónggǎng Lù
Sentosa Gateway	圣淘沙大道	Shèngtáoshā Dàdào
Boat Quay	驳船码头	Bóchuán Mǎtóu
Arab Street	阿拉伯街	Ālābó Jiē

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FAQs on Singapore Street Names

What is the famous street name in Singapore?

One of the most famous streets in Singapore is Orchard Road. It is known for its world-class shopping malls, luxury brands, restaurants, and entertainment hubs. Other iconic streets include Marina Bay Boulevard, Clarke Quay, and Bugis Street.

How are streets named in Singapore?

Singapore follows a structured street-naming system:

Historical & Cultural Significance – Many streets are named after colonial figures, local leaders, or significant historical events.
Geographical Features – Some street names reflect their proximity to rivers, hills, or landmarks.
Malay, Chinese, and Indian Influences – Many names have origins in local dialects and languages.
Government Approval – The Street Naming Advisory Committee oversees the process to ensure relevance and clarity.

What is the most common street name in Singapore?

Some of the most common street names in Singapore include:

Jalan (Malay for "Road") – E.g., Jalan Besar, Jalan Kayu
Lorong (Malay for "Lane") – E.g., Lorong Chuan, Lorong 1 Geylang
Tanjong (Malay for "Cape") – E.g., Tanjong Pagar, Tanjong Katong
Serangoon – A name found in multiple roads and areas.

How many streets are there in Singapore?

Singapore has over 9,000 streets and roadways, covering residential, commercial, and industrial areas. The road network is well-planned, ensuring efficient transportation across the island.

What is the postcode of Singapore?

Singapore does not have a single postcode. Instead, it uses a 6-digit postal code system, where each postal code uniquely identifies a specific building or location. For example:

Marina Bay Sands – 018956
Orchard Road (ION Orchard) – 238801
Changi Airport Terminal 3 – 819663

What is the history of street names in Singapore?

Singapore’s street names have evolved from its colonial past to modern urban planning:

Colonial Era (1819-1963) – Many streets were named after British officials, traders, and landmarks, such as Raffles Place, Cecil Street, and Victoria Street.
Post-Independence (1965-Present) – New streets reflect Singapore’s multicultural heritage, economic growth, and local history.

What is the oldest street in Singapore?

The oldest street in Singapore is High Street, established during British rule in the early 19th century. It was the first official road built by the British and served as a commercial and administrative hub. Other historic roads include Serangoon Road and Telok Ayer Street.