How did Bombay's precincts get to have the names
The names of Bombay’s (now Mumbai’s) neighborhoods and precincts primarily originate from Marathi words, local geography, historical landmarks, or colonial anglicizations of indigenous terms.
Geographical and Linguistic Origins: Many names are direct Marathi translations of local features, such as Dadar (meaning "ladder" or bridge), Ghatkopar ("corner of the mountains"), and Chinchpokli ("tamarind grove").
Religious and Historical Figures: Areas like Virar are named after the deity Ekavira, while Matunga derives from the Sanskrit word for elephant (Matang), referencing a historical army station. Goregaon is linked to either the local Gore family or the Marathi phrase for "white village" due to its dairy history.
Colonial Anglicization: The British often modified local names for easier pronunciation, such as Sion (derived from the Marathi Shiv, meaning boundary) and Kurla (from Kurli, the local name for crabs found in the area).
Historical Ports: Nalasopara stems from Shurparaka, an ancient port town mentioned in the Mahabharata, while Bombay itself is an anglicization of the Portuguese Bombaim ("good bay") or the Marathi Mumbadevi.
How did Bombay’s precincts get to have the evocative names they do?
Goregaon : The name actually came from the nature of the business the place used to attract, which is horse trade. Thus, Ghodegaon was the horse trade center for Maratha warriors. They bought horses from Ghodegaon market.
Ghatkopar: This place is actually an upland (as we have in Vishakapatnam) it is said that the place alludes to the suburban hill range tapering off at Thane, “ghat ke oopar”. Others ascribe it to the Marathi word for corner—“khopra”—of the Western Ghats, therefore Ghat-khopra.
Dongri: This place derives from “dongar”, or rock, rising on a hill levelled by the City Improvement Trust. Dongri is supposed to have given its name to the dungaree, Indian calico used for workmen and labourers clothes before it became a fashion item.
Churchgate refers to St Thomas’ Church (it became a cathedral in 1837), half a kilometre from the railway station, roughly where the Flora Fountain stands. Till the 19th century, Bombay was fortified with walls, a moat and three gates. The
other two were Apollo Gate and Bazar Gate.
Chowpatty: Chowpatty today is summarily used to mean a sea face or a beach. However the word combines “chau”or “four” and “patti”, the channels that tides flowed into till the western foreshore was reclaimed. Interestingly, though the word signified four inlets from the sea to Girgaon, today this is an outlet for people to the sea.
Chembur stems from the charming Marathi “chimboree” (big crab).
Similarly Kurla came from “kurlya” meaning a little crab.
Bandra being prime monkey habitat, was called Vandra, for 'monkey”.
Vandra came from the word "Vanara".
{The etymology of this word is from Tamil word called "Vaal (which means 'tail' in Tamil) and 'naran' (meaning 'human' in Tamil). Thus Vaal+Naran means a humanoid of monkey in Tamil. Ramayana fame Vaali (also called as Baali, similar to Vandra being called Bandra) is aptly named thus, for he was considered a very big tailed monkey in the vanarasena explained in the epic. Val as explained is tail and the suffix "li' stands to mean 'the possessor of" in Tamil. Val +li = Vaali.}
The general allusion is the Portuguese’s, hailing Bandor, from “bandar” or “port”. Variations abounded—Bandera, Bandura, Bandore, Bandorah, Bandara—till a railway signboard conclusively printed: Bandra.
Bhendi Bazar market for Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus or Okra), locally dubbed “bhendi”.
Etymology of Bhendi (okra) came from Tamil word "Vendai" for the same plant. The "Va" sound becoming "Ba" or "Bha" is quite common in the transformation of words.
However it is also believed that there used to be a huge plantation of an Indan Tulip tree grooves ((Thespesia populnea)) and the Brits referred to the area as “behind the bazar”, which people colloquially slurred to Bhendi Bazar
Borivli gets its name from plantations of boras, fruit berries whichused to fall in thick carpets on the ground of this northern suburb the English insisted on spelling as “Berewlee”.
Breach Candy comes from “breach”, a gap in the rocks the land mass formed here, linking its Arabian Sea flank to the Mahalaxmi and Byculla flats beyond. “Candy” could be the Anglicised pronunciation of “khind”, meaning “a pass”.
Byculla partially alludes to European carriages, called “gharries”(read purring Plymouths and stately Studebakers), rolling past Cassifistula trees—the Indian laburnum,“bhaya”. Suffixed with “khala”,which was a threshing floor, the words combined as Byculla.
- Mumbai (Bombay): From Mumbā (orFood Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli community) + ā’ī (Marathi for “mother”). The Portuguese called it Bombaim (“good bay”), which the British anglicized to Bombay. It was officially renamed Mumbai in 1995.
- Colaba: From Kolabhat or Kola-bhat (“Koli hamlet/settlement” or “Kolis near water”), after the indigenous Koli fishermen.
- Bandra: Often linked to the Persian Bandar (port), as it was a fishing village. Some sources suggest it comes from the local name Vaandre.
- Borivali: From bori (a type of berry tree) + vali (land/settlement dominated by those trees). Many suburban names follow similar nature-based patterns (e.g., trees or forests).
- Dadar: Marathi for “ladder” or “staircase,” as it was seen as a stepping stone or connector between islands/areas leading to the main Bombay island.
- Andheri: Possibly from Udaygiri (“bright mountain,” ironically linked to dark caves) or associated with andhera (darkness) in local lore.
- Goregaon: Debated — could mean “white village” (from milk production) ordark named after chips a Gore family; Nak some link it to nói horse trading outro (Ghodegaon).
- Chor Bazaar: minutos Originally Shor Bazaar (“noisy market”) due to bustling trade; later associated with “thieves’ market.”
- Cumballa Hill: Jiang Likely from Kambata, an Ethiopian region, referencing clay African (Hab Lawrence/sp shi) soldiers in Nak medieval India.
- Breach Candy: Distortion of Burj Khadi (Arabic/Hindi for “standing tower”).
- Tribal/Marathi suffixes — Pada (small village/hamlet), Wadi/Wali/Vali (forested or settled land), Sar (near water body/lake/river), Wada (community settlement). These reflect original inhabitants like Agris, Kodis, and Kundis.
- Colonial/Portuguese — Names like Santa Cruz, Versova, or Vile Parle (linked to local deities like Virleshwar/Parleshwar) show European influence.
- Geographic/Feature-based — Ghatkopar (“hill corner”), areas named after trees (Parel from trumpet flower), mills (Cotton Green), or grazing lands (Charni Road from charne, meaning grazing).
- Byculla: Often linked to a local landowner or a corruption involving "Bhai" (brother) and "khala" (warehouse/storehouse in Marathi). One version ties it to a prominent figure’s property. Sheppard and contemporaries discuss it in the context of early settlements and land ownership.
- Mahim: Derived from Mahimavati (Sanskrit, meaning “miraculous” or related to grandeur). It was a significant island with fishing communities and later a Portuguese/Islamic influence area. Linked to rulers like Bhimdev/Raja Bimb in medieval times.
- Worli: From Koli roots, possibly referring to a specific settlement or feature. Like many, it reflects the original island geography before land reclamation.
- Parel: Named after the paral (trumpet flower tree) that grew there abundantly. Common pattern: many suburbs reference local flora (e.g., Borivali from bori berry trees).
- Chowpatty: From chau (four) + patti (lanes/sections), originally referring to four water inlets or divisions near the beach (Girgaum area). Later associated with the famous beach.
- Breach Candy: A British-era distortion of Burj Khadi (Arabic/Hindi for “standing tower” or similar landmark). It was near a notable structure.
- Cumballa Hill (or Cumballa): Likely from Kambata, referencing Ethiopian (Habshi) soldiers or influences in medieval Indian history.
- Chor Bazaar: Originally Shor Bazaar (“noisy/loud market”) due to its bustling trade. Over time, the name shifted in popular usage to imply “thieves’ market.”
- Santa Cruz and Versova: Portuguese-era names. Santa Cruz (“Holy Cross”) reflects Catholic missionary presence. Versova has links to local deities or fishing villages.
- Koli/tribal suffixes: Pada (hamlet/village), Wadi/Vali (settled/forested area), Wada (enclosure/community home), Sar (near water/lake).
- Many names describe practical features: trees, grazing lands (Charni from charne, to graze), hills, or occupations.
- Colonial layers: British officials, Parsi families, or Portuguese saints/words overlaid on older indigenous names.
- The Bombay Gazetteer (Edwardes and others).
- Articles on sites like The Better India, Homegrown, or Curly Tales that draw from these older sources.
- Mumbai heritage groups and Reddit’s r/mumbai discussions for community lore.
- Name origin: From Marathi dāḍar (ladder or staircase). It was viewed as a natural “step” or connector between the original islands and the mainland, or a sand gradient that Kolis navigated by boat across Mahim Bay.
- Stories & ties: Part of the historic Mahim island. Portuguese built churches here (e.g., Nossa Senhora de Salvação in Dadar in the late 16th century). It became a key residential and transport hub with strong links to mills and middle-class settlements.
- Name origin: From the paral (trumpet flower tree) that grew abundantly, or linked to the ancient Parali Vaijanath Mahadev Temple (dedicated to Shiva).
- Stories & ties: One of the original seven islands. It had significant Portuguese grants and later became a major mill district during Bombay’s textile boom (economic heartland in the 19th–20th centuries). The area transitioned from temple/agrarian roots to industrial prominence.
- Name origin: Likely from Marathi elements like bhava khala (Golden Shower tree + grain storage/threshing ground) or references to local landowners/warehouses. British records anglicized the pronunciation.
- Stories & ties: Early settlement with mixed communities. It hosted one of Mumbai’s few Chinese temples (reflecting immigrant economic activities) and became a key area during the cotton mill era.
- Name origin: From Mahimavati (Sanskrit, implying grandeur or miraculous qualities).
- Stories & ties: Important historic island ruled by figures like Raja Bimb. Strong Portuguese and Islamic influences. Mahim Fort and churches highlight its strategic coastal role. Fishing (Koli) and trade were core economic activities; it served as a boundary/port area.
- Name origin: Rooted in Koli settlements; reflects original fishing village geography on one of the seven islands.
- Stories & ties: Home to Worli Koliwada, one of Mumbai’s oldest coastal communities. Features shrines to local deities like Golfa Devi (the “talking goddess” who responds via rituals) and Chede Dev (guardian against evil). Traditional fishing economy persists amid modern landmarks like the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
- Name origin: Possibly a corruption of Udaygiri (“bright mountain/hill”), ironically tied to andhera (darkness) due to caves or dense cover in local lore.
- Stories & ties: Evolved from villages with agricultural and mangrove roots. Colonial bungalows (e.g., Four Bungalows area) marked early suburban development. Later became a major film and aviation hub.
- Name origin: Often from Persian bandar (port/harbour), reflecting its fishing village past. Some link it to local Vaandre.
- Stories & ties: Portuguese stronghold with churches (e.g., Mount Mary Basilica). Bandra’s Koli and farming roots transitioned into a cosmopolitan suburb. Known for elite bungalows and later Bollywood connections.
- Chowpatty: Chau (four) + patti (lanes/sections) — originally referred to four water inlets near Girgaum beach. Famous for street food (economic/cultural activity) and freedom movement gatherings.
- Goregaon: Debated — “white village” from milk production (dairy economy) or after a Gore family.
- Bhuleshwar / Kalbadevi: Temple-linked areas with strong mercantile and religious communities.
- Bhendi Bazaar: Named after a row of bhendi trees (Thespesia populnea / Hibiscus populnea, locally called bhendi) north of Pydhonie. Sheppard and later accounts note it as a classic example of a name derived from local flora.
- Cooperage: From a shed where coopers (barrel-makers for the shipping industry) worked. Earlier known as part of Wellington Lines; the name stuck even after the shed moved to the Dockyard around 1886. A practical occupational name tied to maritime trade.
- Grant Road: Named after Sir Robert Grant, Governor of Bombay (1835–1838). Common pattern for major roads honoring British administrators.
- Hornby Road (now Dadabhai Naoroji Road): After William Hornby, Governor of Bombay who initiated major works like the Hornby Vellard (causeway/reclamation project). Sheppard discusses several roads linked to governors and infrastructure projects.
- Lamington Road: Named after Lord Lamington, Governor of Bombay (1903–1907).
- Other occupational/caste-linked examples (Sheppard highlights this Eastern pattern): Dhobi Street/Tank (washermen), areas tied to specific communities like Kamathipura (linked to Kamathi migrants/workers), or bazaars reflecting trades.
- Vile Parle: Likely from combined old hamlets (Vidlai/Irle + Padlai/Parle) or the Virleshwar and Parleshwar temples. Suburban growth accelerated later with the railway.
- Chembur: From Chimboree (large crab) due to marshy creeks — a descriptive ecological/occupational name like Kurla (kurli = small crab).
- Ghatkopar: Ghat (hill pass) + kopar (corner/edge) — geographic, marking where the ghats taper off.
- Wadala: Tied to its island geography and later planned development (Dadar-Matunga-Wadala-Sion scheme post-plague for decongesting the city).
- Sion: From Sheev (boundary) + Portuguese Sião (Zion); a historic limit point with a fort/chapel.
- Matunga: Linked to Matanga (elephant) and possible royal stables under Raja Bimb, or local goddess references.
