The London Underground, while only a couple of centuries old, is steeped in history. You may have found yourself sitting in a Tube carriage browsing the map, wondering how some of the stations came to get their weird and wonderful names.
The names weren’t plucked out of thin air – in fact, many of them hark back much further than the stations themselves. Some names are tied to local pubs, but there’s also a mix of stately homes and sports grounds – and some have quirkier origins still.
Here are some of the fascinating stories behind the names of some of London’s most iconic Tube stations.
Paddington
It’ll be tough to spot Paddington Bear in this crowd
(Image: WalesOnline reporter)
You might be wondering what came first, the station or the bear? Given that the area has been known as Paddington since Anglo-Saxon times, long before Paddington Bear charmed the nation starting in 1958, the answer seems straightforward. The beloved bear was named after the station where he was found by the Brown family.
While there are various theories about the name’s origin, including a possible connection to a Lord Padda mentioned in the Domesday Book, the exact etymology remains a bit of a mystery. With Paddington Bear now vying for the title of the UK’s most cherished icon alongside David Attenborough, perhaps we should cheekily play along when curious tourists ask if the station was named after the bear.
Cockfosters
A name that never fails to amuse, Cockfosters sits at the end of the Piccadilly Line and has been making passengers chuckle since its first recorded mention in 1524. It’s believed to be named after a family or a particular house, adding a personal touch to its history.
Swiss Cottage
It’s like being in Switzerland… almost
(Image: Google Maps)
Swiss Cottage may sound like a Tesco own-brand cheese, but it actually has one of the more straightforward origins up its sleeve. The area got its name from an early 19th Century pub built in the style of a Swiss chalet. Thirsty travellers can still visit this establishment, now known as Ye Olde Swiss Cottage.
Shepherd’s Bush
Shepherd’s Bush likely owes its moniker to a noteworthy bush on Shepherd’s Bush Green or possibly even to a local named Sheppard – probably hailing from a long line of shepherds. Traditionally, flocks were rested here on their trek to Smithfields Market, leaving us with, admittedly, somewhat of an ambiguous historical trail to follow.
Mudchute
Mudchute’s beginnings are somewhat less whimsical. Once known as Mud Shoot, the area was unfortunately christened for the stench of mud siphoned away from the Millwall Docks.
When Millwall Football Club played nearby, player Frederick Pelly quipped that if you took a tumble on the pitch, “the smell wouldn’t come off for weeks” – hardly a ringing endorsement!
Arsenal
Arsenal stands out as the sole London Tube stop named directly after a footie club. Originally called Gillespie Road, the station was reborn in 1932 to honour Arsenal Football Club, then playing at Highbury Stadium nearby. Although that stadium shut its gates in 2006, fans continue to flood through the station en route to the modern Emirates Stadium.
Oval
Here you’ll find London’s most iconic cricket ground
(Image: OLLY GREENWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
This station might share its name with the iconic cricket grounds, yet the name itself was around before any runs were scored or wickets taken at the venue. The name Kennington Oval originates from a market garden, named for its shape, that was owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.
Elephant and Castle
Adding to the theme of London being a city of pub lovers, Elephant and Castle is another area named after a pub. The existence of the Elephant and Castle pub was recorded in 1765, but Shakespeare made a reference to “In the south suburbs, at the Elephant, is best to lodge”, in his play, Twelfth Night.
There’s also a persistent rumour that the name was a corruption of the Spanish “La Infanta de Castilla”, referring to one of the many Spanish princesses who visited the city at some point. However, there’s little evidence to support this.
Angel
The Angel Inn stood for hundreds of years
(Image: Google Maps)
Angel, despite its holy name, is actually named after – yes, you guessed it – another pub. The Angel Inn has stood at this important route into London since the early 17th Century, serving as a refuge from robbers and highwaymen.
Marylebone
Marylebone got its name from a church dedicated to St Mary and the small stream or ‘bourne’ on which it sat. Over time, the area became known as St Mary at the Bourne, which eventually morphed into Marylebone.
It’s often mispronounced as ‘Marrleebone’. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a corruption of Marie la Bonne (French for Mary the good).
East India DLR
This station has a colonial connection
(Image: Google Maps)
This station name is a nod to the days of Empire. The East India station gets its name from the nearby East India Docks, which were once bustling with goods coming in from the East Indies.
Cyprus DLR
Fancy a trip to Cyprus but can’t leave London? Just hop on the DLR to this far-flung corner of the city. The area is named after the Cyprus Estate, a housing estate built for workers at the Royal Albert Dock. The estate itself was named to commemorate The British Empire’s 1878 acquisition of the island of Cyprus.
Tooting Broadway
Finally, Tooting Broadway has been a town since pre-Saxon times, flourishing along the old Roman road between London and Chichester. The true origin of the name Tooting is debated by scholars, with some believing it refers to the Tota people who may have lived in the area. Alternatively, it could derive from the old meaning of the verb ‘tout’, to look out, suggesting there may have been a lookout post here overseeing this important route into London.
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