Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society/Volume 23/Native Names of Streets in Singapore

by H. T. Haughton

NATIVE NAMES OF STREETS IN SINGAPORE.

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ACTING under the powers conferred by section 143 of the Municipal Ordinance 1887, the Commissioners have affixed at the corner of every street in the town of Singapore a board on which is inscribed "the name by which such street shall be known." But, as most of the residents are aware, the names given by the Municipality to the various streets are only used by the European portion of the population, and the Chinese, Tamils and Malays have names for the streets very different from their Municipal titles. In the selection of names for the streets, Chinese names were very properly selected for the Chinese part of the town, and Malay names for many of the streets in Kampong Glam, and one would naturally have supposed that such names as "Hongkong Street" and "Macao Street" would have been adopted by the Chinese, and that the Malays would have had no hesitation in appropriating a name like "Jalan Sultan."

But, whatever the reason may be, the fact remains that the Municipal names are ignored by the natives, with the exception of the police, who are, of course, compelled to learn them. I think, therefore, it will be of interest to give a list of some of the principal Chinese and Tamil names, as the names illustrate, to a certain extent, the characteristics of each nation. For example, what can be more characteristic of the Singapore Tamil than the names he has given to the Esplanade, to Bain Court, and to Tank Road? With regard to the Chinese names, they may, I think, be divided into three classes, i.e., purely Malay names pronounced in Chinese fashion, Malay names translated into Chinese, and lastly descriptive names. The descriptive names are mostly very good, and while the appropriateness of the name for Church Street may only strike those who are acquainted with police work in Singapore, yet we can all admire the picturesque names for Thomson and Alexandra Roads. I have not attempted to include the Malay names in the list, as Malays take but little notice of streets, and, as a rule, only describe places by Kampongs, which are of course well known in the case of Singapore.

I am indebted to my friend Mr. J. O. Anthonisz for the list of Tamil names, and I have to thank Messrs. Li A Sik and Tan Tiang Siong for preparing the list of Chinese names. The Chinese names are given in the list as pronounced by the Hokkien Chinese.

H. T. HAUGHTON

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CHINESE NAMES OF STREETS AND ROADS IN SINGAPORE.

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Albert Street. 監公望舊魯 or (2) 磨蔴油街

Kam Kong Mang Ku Lu (Kampong Bencoolen). Or (2) Boh Mua Iu Koi–"The street where sesamum oil is expressed."

Alexandra Road. 水磨內 or (2) 老只腳

Chwi Bo Lai–"The water rice-mill." Or (2) Lau Chi Kha–"The foot of the betel-nuts."

Almeida Street. 牛車水戲園後

Gu Chia Chwi Hi Hng Au–"The back of the Kreta Ayer Theatre." "Gu Chia Chwi," literally "water cart," a translation of the Malay name "Kreta Ayer."

Amoy Street. 媽祖宮後 or (2) 義學口

Ma Cho Keng Au–"The back of the Ma Cho Temple.” Or (2) Ghi Oh Khau–"The front of the school."

Angus Street. 監公嗎𠯿呷

Kam Kong Ma La Kak (Kampong Malaka). The same name is also given to Cumming Street, Fisher Street, Kerr Street, Keng Cheow Street, Omar Road and Solomon Street.

Arab Street. 爪亞街

Jiawa Koi–"Javanese Street."

Armenian Street. 成寶新厝後

Seng Poh Sin Chu Au–"The back of Seng Poh's new building."

Bain Street and Holloway Lane. 色仔厘禮拜對面巷

Sek Kia Ni Loi Pai Twi Bin Hang–"The lane opposite the Portuguese Church." "Sek Kia Ni"=Serani.

Balestier Road. ^[1] 鵝曹大伯公

Go Cho Tua Pek Kong–"Rochor Temple." "Go Cho"=Rochor.

Bali Lane. 嘛哩內

Bali Lai. "Lai"–inside, off the road. Compare Haji Lane and Shaikh Madarsah Lane.

Battery Road. 土庫後

Tho Kho Au–"Back of the godowns." "Tho Kho"=Godown, literally "earth treasury."

Beach Lane. 鐵巴虱巷

Thi Pa Sat Hang–"Iron market lane."

Beach Road. 小坡海墘 or (2) 鐵巴虱口

Sio Po Hai Ki–"Small Singapore's seaside." "Sio Po"="Small Singapore" (Kampong Glam), in contradistinction to 大坡 "Twa Po"="Big Singapore" across the river. Or (2) Thi Pa Sat Khau–"Iron market mouth." The iron market is of course Clyde Terrace Market.

Boat Quay. 淡邦路頭 (2) 十三行 (3) 十八間 (4) 水厝尾 or (5) 溪墘

Tiam Pang Lo Thau–"The place to for sampans." "Tiam Pang"=sampans. "Lo Thau"=the beginning of the way. Or (2) Chap Sa Hang–"The thirteen shops." There is a street in Canton of the same name. Or (3) Chap Poet Keng–"The eighteen houses." Or (4) Chwi Chu Boi–"Bathing house end." Or (5) Khoi Ki–"Stream bank."

Bras Basah Road. 老腳舊間口

Lau Kha Ku Keng Khau–"Mouth of the old jail." "Kha Ku" literally "ankle chains."

Buffalo Road. 監公加路武

Kam Kong Ka La Bu (Kampong Kerbau)–"Kandang Kerbau."

Bukit Timah Road. 馬車路尾 or (2) 新山路

Be Chia Lo Boi–"End of the horse-carriage street." Meaning that the road ends at Kranji. Or (2) Sin Swa Lo–"Johor Road." "Sin Swa"-Johor, literally "New mountain."

Canal Road. 監公嗎𠯿呷港

Kam Kong Ma La Kak Kang–"The Kampong Malaka stream."

Canton Street. 橫街仔

Whe Koi Kia–"The small road that crosses," i.e., Boat Quay and Circular Road.

Carpenter Street. 戲館街 or (2) 義福街

Hi Kwan Koi–"Wayang-house street." Or (2) Ghi Hok Koi–"The street of the Ghi Hoks."

Cheang Hong Lim Street. 八間仔

Poeh Keng A–"The eight small houses."

Chin Chew Street. 荳腐街

Tan Hu Hoi–"Beancake street," so called from the beancake sellers who live there. Beancake is called by Babas "Kweh Koyak."

Chin Hin Street. 大坡新街

Twa Po Sin Koi–" The new street of big Singapore."

China Street. 繳間前 or (2) 福建義興公司前

Kiau Keng Cheng–"The front of the gambling houses." Or (2) Hok Kien Ghi Hin Kong Si Cheng–" The front of the Hokkien Ghi Hin Kongsi."

Church Street 繳間口 or (2) 五代天福宮口

Kian Keng Khau–"The mouth of the gambling houses." Or (2) Ngo Tai Tian Hok Kiong Khau–"The mouth of the five generations the Tian Hok Temple."

Circular Road. 十三行後 or (2) 十八間後

Chap Sa Hang Au–"The back of the thirteen shops,' i.e., the back of Boat Quay. Or (2) Chap Poet Keng Au–"The back of the eighteen houses," i.e., Boat Quay.

Clyde Street. 鐵巴虱馬打厝對面巷

Thi Pa Sat Ma Ta Chu Twi Bin Hang–"The lane opposite the iron-market Police Station."

Clyde Terrace. 碗店口

Ua Tiam Khau–"The mouth of the crockery shops." There are many crockery shops in this street much patronized by the Bugis traders. The Malay name is "Jalan Kedei Pinggan Mangko."

Coleman Street. 最尼新厝後

Hiok Ni Sin Chu Au–"At the back of (Tan) Hiok Ni's new building."

Collyer Quay. 土庫後

Tho Kho Au–"At the back of the godowns."

Commercial Square. 土庫口 or (2) 花園角

Tho Kho Khau–"The mouth of the godowns." Or (2) Hua Hooi Kak- "Flower garden corner."

Crawford Street. 鵝曹尾 or (2) 小坡老巴虱

Go Cho Bue–"The end of Rochor." Or (2) Sio Po Lau Pa Sat–"The old market of small Singapore.

Cross Street. 咭嚀仔街

Kiat Leng Kia Koi–"The Klingmen's street," so called on account of the numerous Klings, boatmen principally, who live there.

Ellenborough Street. 新巴虱口

Sin Pa Sat Khau–"The mouth of the new market."

Esplanade. 大葛前草坡

Twa Kok Cheng Chau Po–"The grass field in front of the great Court.

Fish Court. 𡀔嗎班襄巷

Lo Ma Pan Jiang Hang (Rumah Panjang Lane). The "Rumah Panjang" was the old atap building in Rochor Road where the demi-monde lived before Fraser Street was built.

Fish Street. 新巴虱邊

Sin Pa Sat Pi–"At the side of the new market."

Flint Street. 土庫尾

Tho Kho Bue–"The end of the godowns."

Fraser Street. 小坡新街

Sio Po Sin Koi–"The new street of small Singapore."

Garden Street and Jedda Street. 鐵巴虱對面巷

Thi Pa Sat Twi Bin Hang–"The lane opposite the iron market."

George Street. 玻璃後順豐街

Po Le Au Sun Hong Koi–"The Sun Hong Street at the back of the Police," i. e., Central Station. "Sun Hong" was a shop formerly in that street and it gave its name to one of the five divisions of the annual Chin Ge procession. Synagogue Street bears the same name.

Haji Lane. 舊峇厘

Ku Ba Li–"Old Bali (lane)."

Havelock Road. 槓石街 or (2) 酒廊路

Kong Chioh Koi–"Break-stone street." Or (2) Chiu Long Lo–"Spirits-shed street," so called from an arrack manufactory there.

High Street. 大葛街 or (2) 雙井路

Twa Kok Koi–"Supreme Court street." Or (2) Siang Che Lo–"Two-wells street," i.e., the two wells at the foot of Fort Canning.

Hill Street. 王家山腳 or (2) 吊橋頭

Ong Ke Swa Kha–"The foot of the Governor's hill." Compare the Malay name of Fort Canning–"Bukit Tuan Bonham." Or (2) Tiau Kio Thau–"At the end of the suspension bridge," i.e., Coleman Bridge.

Hokkien Street. 造馬車街

Cho Be Chia Koi–"The street where horse-carriages are made."

Hong Lim Quay. 監公嗎𠯿呷海墘

Kam Kong Ma La Kak Hai Ki–"Kampong Malaka sea beach."

Hongkong Street. 馬交街

Ma Kau Koi–"Macao street,"

Hylam Street. 海南會館後

Hai Lam Hoi Kuan Au–"The back of the Hailam meeting house."

Jalan Sultan. 二十間

Ji Chap Keng–"The twenty houses."

Japan Street. 媽祖宮邊

Ma Cho Keng Pi–"The side of the Na Cho temple."

Java Road. 小坡打石街

Sio Po Phah Chioh Koi–"Small Singapore cut-stone road."

Kalang Road. 呀哢橋

Ga Lang Kio–"Kalang bridge." The vulgarism of "Gallang Road" evidently comes through the Chinese pronunciation.

Kampong Bharu. 新監公

Sin Kam Kong–"New kampong."

Kampong Glam Beach. 大并腳

Twa Che Kha–"The foot of the big well." There used to be an old well in the middle of the road at Sultan's Gate.

Kampong Java Road. 紅毛塚

Ang Mo Phun–"European tombs."

Kandang Kerbau and Selegie Road. 竹仔腳

Tek Kia Kha–"The foot of the small bamboos." This name is probably given on account of the bamboo clumps in the neighbourhood.

Killeney Road. 東陵巴虱對面巷

Tang Leng Pa Sat Twi Bin Hang–"The lane in front of the Tanglin market."

Kim Seng Road. 豐興橋

Hong Hin Kio–"Ilong Ilin bridge." "Hong Hin"=chop of Tan Kim Seng.

Kling Street. 山仔頂 or (2)鐵條腳

Swa Kia Teng–"Small hill top." Or (2) Thi Thiau Kha "The foot of the iron pillars." Many iron pillars were used in the construction of houses in this street.

Lavender Street 鵝曹大公司 or (2) 菜園內

Go Cho Twa Kong Si–"The big Rochor kongsi." The chief meeting house of the Thien Thi Hoi was in this street.^[2] Or (2) Chai Hng Lai, meaning that vegetable gardens are alongside the road. "Chai Hng"=Vegetable gardens; and "Lai" inside.

Little Cross Street. 縐亞打銅街

Jiowa Phak Tang Koi–"The street of the Javanese copper-smiths."

Lorong Telok. 篾籠街

Bi Lang Koi–"Bamboo basket street."

Macao Street. 玻璃邊

Po Li Pi–"The side of the Police," i.e., Central Station.

Magazine Road. 陳聖王街

Tan Seng Ong Koi–"Tan Seng Ong street." Tan Seng Ong was the ancestor of the Seh "Tan."

Malabar Street. 舊海南會館

Ku Hai Lam Iloi Kwan–"The old Hailam meeting-house."

Malacca Strect. 老巴虱口 or (2) 萬興街

Lau Pa Sat Khau–"Mouth of old market." Or (2) Ban Hin Koi–"Ban Hin street," so called from the firm of that name.

Manila Street. 色仔呢街

Sek Kia Ni Koi–"Serani street." Queen Street bears the same name.

Market Street. 中街 or (2) 老巴虱口

Tiong Koi–"Centre street." This is one of the divisions of the Chin Ge procession. Or (2) Lau Pa Sat Khau-one of the names for Malacca Street.

Merchant Road. 新街口戲園街

Sin Koi Khau Hi Hng Hoi–"The theatre street at the mouth of the new street," i.e., Chin Hin Street.

Middle Road. 小坡紅毛打鐵

Sio Po Ang Mo Pah Thi–"European foundry of small Singapore." The foundry referred to formerly belonged to Messrs. Cazalas. It now belongs to a Chinese firm, the Ban Hap Kongsi.

Nankin Street. 松柏館街

Siong Pek Kwan Koi–"Siong Pek Kwan street." "Siong Pek Kwan" was the Keh branch of the Thien Thi Hoi now suppressed along with the other dangerous societies.

Neil Road. 牛車水斜路

Gu Chia Chwi Kia Lo–"The steep street of Kreta Ayer."

New Bridge Road. 新巴虱馬打厝前 or (2) 二馬路

Sin Pa Sat Ma Ta Chu Cheng–"The front of new market Police Station. Or (2) Ji Ma Lo–"Number two horse way." South Bridge Road being Tai Ma Lo–"The great horse way."

New Harbour. 新監公船澳 or (2) 石叻門

Sin Kam Kong Chun U–"Kampong Bharu Dock." Or (2) Sek Lat Moi–"Selat passage." Sek Lat=Malay "Selat." Telok Blanga Road bears the same name.

New Market Road. 新巴虱水棚腳

Sin Pa Sat Chwi Pe Kha–"The foot of the bathing house at the new market."

North Boat Quay. 掬霜前

Kek S'ng Cheng–"The front of the ice factory."

North Bridge Road. 水仙門火車路

Chwi Sian Moi Hui Chia Lo-Literally "Water fairy door fire cart road." Hui Chia=steam tram.

North Canal Road. 溝仔墘 or (2) 單邊街

Kau Kia Ki–"The side of the little drain," i.e., the old Singapore canal. Or (2) Tan Pin Kai–"One side street," so called because there are houses only in one side of the street.

Orchard Road. 東陵巴虱街

Tang Leng Pa Sat Koi–"Tanglin market street."

Outram Road. 時牌坡

Si Pai Po–"The Sepoy's field."

Pagoda Street. 咭嚀仔禮拜後

Kek Leng Kia Loi Pai Au–"The back of the Kling place of worship."

Pekin Street. 衣箱街

I Sio Koi–"Clothing box street," so called from the cabinetmakers living there.

Phillip Street. 老爺宮口

Lau Ia Keng Khau– Mouth of the Lau Ia temple," i.e., the Teo Chiu temple. "Lau la"=grandfather.

River Valley Road. 王家山腳 or (2) 龍頭井

Ong Ke Swa Kha–"The foot of the Governor's hill" i.e., Fort Canning. Or (2) Leng Than Che–"Dragon's head well," i.e., the fountain by the side of the road opposite the Ice Works.

Rochor Road. 𡀔嗎班襄

Lo Ma Pan Jiang–"Rumah Panjang." See Fish Court.

Sago Street. 牛車水戲園前

Gu Chia Chwi Hi Hng Cheng–"The front of Kreta Ayer theatre."

Saranggong Road. 後港路

Au Kang Lo–"The Au Kang road." "Au Kang" is the Kangka at the end of the road.

Selegie Road.

See Kandang Kerbau. Is Selegie the Malay word "Sěligi," a "wooden-dart"?

Shaikh Madarsah Lane. 新巴厘

Sin Ba Li–"New Bali." Compare Haji Lane, "Old Bali."

Smith Street. 牛車水戲園街

Gu Chia Chwi Hi Hng Koi–"Kreta Ayer theatre street."

South Bridge Road. 大馬路 or (2) 漆木街

Tai Ma Lo–"The great horse-way." Or (2) Chat Bok Koi "Paint wood street." This last name is however only given to that portion of South Bridge Road lying between Elgin Bridge and the corner of North Canal Road, and it is so called on account of the numerous painters who live there.

South Canal Road. 港仔墘

Kang A Ki-"The side of the small river," i.e., the old Singapore Canal.

Stamford Road. 流水澗

Lau Chwi Khe-"Flowing water stream."

Sultan Gate. 王府口 or (2) 打鐵街

Ong Hu Khau-"The mouth of the palace." Or (2) Phah Thi Koi-"The street of the iron-smiths."

Sultan Road. 小坡打鐵街

Sio Po Phah Thi Koi-"Small Singapore's iron-smiths' street.

Tanglin Road. 大東陵

Twa Tang Leng-"Great Tanglin."

Tank Road. 王家山後

Ong Ke Swa Au-"The back of the Governor's hill," i.e., Fort Canning.

Telok Ayer Street. 源順街

Gwan Sun Koi-"Gwan Sun street." "Gwan Sun" was the chop of a firm in the strect which gave its name to one of the five divisions of the Chin Ge procession.

Thomson Road. 井水港

Chia Chwi Kang-"Fresh water stream," i.e., the Kalang River.

Tringganu Street. 牛車水橫街

Gu Chia Chwi Wha Koi-"The cross street of Kreta Ayer," i.e., crossing Smith Street and Sago Street.

Upper Circular Road. 馬車街

Be Chia Koi-"Horse carriage street," so called from the gharry stand there.

Upper Cross Street. 海山公司街

Hai San Kong Si Koi-"Hai San kongsi street," so called because the meeting-house of that kongsi used to be in the street.

Upper Hokkien Street. 坔巴街 or (2) 長秦街

Lam Pa Koi-"Swamp street." Or (2) Chiang Tai Koi-"The Chiang Tai temple street."

Victoria Street. 後馬車路

Au Be Chia Lo-"The back of horse-carriage street," i.e., at the back of North Bridge Road.

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TAMIL NAMES OF STREETS AND ROADS IN SINGAPORE.

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Albert Street. தீமிரித் திடல்

Thîmiri Thidal-"Place where people tread on fire." The ceremony of walking through the fire in October-November was held in the street.

Arab Street. பூக்கடைக் சடக்கு

Pûkadei Sadakku-"Street of the flower shops."

Bain Court. புருவன்‌ துரை சாயப்பட்டரை

Brown Thurei Sâyapattarei-"Brown's carriage painting establishment."

Bain and Holloway Streets. பாக்கு தோப்பு

Pâkku Thoppu-"Betel-nut garden."

Balestier Road. தண்ணீர் கம்பம்

Thannîr Kampam–"The water kampong," so named as water was conveyed from this place to town for sale.

Beach Road. கடல்கரை சடக்கு

Kadal Karei Sadakku–"Road by the seaside."

Chin Chew Street. ஆரம்பிள்ளை சடக்கு

Arampillei Sadakku–"Arampillei's road."

Clyde Terrace. இரும்பு பஸர்

Irumpu Pasar–"Iron market."

Commercial Square. கிட்டங்கு தெருவு

Kidangu Theruvu–"Street of the godowns."

Cross Street. பல்கடைத் சடக்கு

Pâlkadei Sadakku–"Street of the milk shops." [The Malay name is Kampong Susu."]

Dhoby Ghaut. வண்ணான் தெருவு

Vannan Theruvu–"Street of the dhobies."

Esplanade. ஜனுவெரி திடல்

January Thidal–"January place" so named from the sports held on 1st January.

Havelock Road. மாசா ஆரா சடக்கு

Masak Ârak Sadakku–"Arrack distilling street." ["Jalan Masak Arak" is the Malay name.]

Kalang Road. காலாங் விளக்குகூடு

Kalang Villakukhûdu–"Kalang light cage." (Gasometer).

Kampong Kapor. சுண்ணாம்பு கம்பம்

Sunnambu Kampam–"The lime kampong."

Kling Street. கத்திகடைத் சடக்கு

Kathi Kadei Sadakku–"Knife shop street." [The Malay name is "Jalan Kedei Pisau."]

Lavender Street. குசத் தெருவு

Kosa Theruvu–"Potters' street."

Mackenzie Road. தண்ணீர் ஆலை

Thannir Âlei–"Water engine."

Market Street. செட்டித் தெருவு

Chetty Theruvu–"Chetties' street."

Orchard Road (town limit). வயிராகி மடம்

Vairakimadam.–"Fakir's place."

Orchard Road (from Koek's Market to Upper Tanglin). மேட்டு தான்

Māttu Than–"It is high ground."

Pagoda Street. மாரியம்மன் கோவில் பக்கத்து சடக்கு

Mariammen Kovil Pakkathu Sadakku–"The side street by temple of Mariammen."

Queen Street. டொபி கம்பம்

Dhoby Kampam–"Street of the dhobies." [The Malay name is "Kampong Dhobi."]

River Valley Road. கல் ஆலை

Kal Âlei–"Stone crusher" from the steam-crusher which is kept at the corner of Tank Road and River Valley Road.

Rochor Road. கம்மங்காலா பழைய கூத்துமேடை சடக்கு

Kammangala Paleia Kuthû Mâdei Sadakku–"Street of Kampong Glam old Hindu theatre."

Selegie Road (near Mackenzie Road). நாகப்பன் தான்

Nagappen Thân–"It is Nagappen's."

South Bridge Road. கலப்பித்தி கடை சடக்கு

Kalapithi Kadei Sadakku–"Cawker's shop street."

Sultan Gate. இராசா கொட்டை

Raja Kôttei–"Rajah's palace."

Tanglin, Upper. வம்பு மலை

Vampumalei–"Whampoa's hill."

Tank Road. நல்லப்பன் தான்

Nallappen Thân–"It is Nallappen's."

Thomson Road. தண்ணீர் பீலை சடக்கு

Thanîr Pîlei Sadakku–"Water pipe Street."

Victoria Street. கம்மங்காலா புதுகூத்து மேடை சடக்கு

Kammangala Puthu Kûthu Madei Sadakku–"Street of Kampong Glam new Hindu theatre."

Victoria Street (lower). பொயான் கம்பம்

Boyan Kampam–"Boyan kampong." [The Malay name is "Kampong Boyan Lama."]

Victoria Street (a lane off). பல் கம்பம்

Pal Kampam–"Milk village."

Waterloo Street.கிருஷ்ணன் கோவில் சடக்கு

Krishnen Kovil Sadakku–"Street of Krishnen temple."

H. T. HAUGHTON.

1. Balestier Road called after Joseph Balestier, Consul for the United States of America who died about 1848.
2. See "Manners and Customs of the Chinese of the Straits Settlements," by J. D. Vaughan, p. 110.