List of Metro Manila placename etymologies

This is a list of sources of the place names in the Philippine capital region of Metro Manila.

Place names

Place Name Location Root
Alabang Muntinlupa Contraction of "Alambangbang" or "Alibangbang," a type of orchid tree.[1]
Alicia Quezon City Alicia Syquía de Quirino, wife of President Elpidio Quirino.[2] Killed with her children by the Japanese during World War II before her husband's rule.
Arkong Bato Valenzuela Filipino for "stone arch", referring to the structure built by the American colonial Insular Government. It demarcated the border of the then-towns of Polo and Malabon, and their respective provinces of Rizal and Bulacan.[3]
Baclaran Parañaque Spanish rendering of the old Tagalog name bakladan/baklaran which means a place of rattan fence (baklád) used as fish corral.[4]
Bagong Ilog Pasig Filipino for "new river."
Bagong Lipunan ng Crame Quezon City Filipino phrase which means "New Society of Crame." It is named after Camp Crame, which was named after Rafael Crame.[5]
Bagong Pagasa Quezon City Filipino for "new hope."[2]
Bagumbayan Quezon City, Navotas and Taguig Filipino for "new town."[2]
Balong Bato San Juan Balóng bató, the Filipino word for "stone well."[6]
Bambang Pasig and Taguig Filipino word for "riverbank”, synonymous with “pampáng”.[7]
Barangka, Barangka Drive, Barangka Ibaba, Barangka Ilaya and Barangka Itaas Marikina and Mandaluyong Tagalisation of old Spanish "Barranca," meaning canyon or river gorge. Ibabà is Filipino for "lower”, Ilaya means "inland" or "interior," and Itaás means "upper."
Baseco Manila
Port Area		 Acronym for "Bataan Shipping and Engineering Company," owner of the dockyard where the settlement was founded.
Batis San Juan Filipino term for "rivulet" or "creek" which dominated the area.[8]
Bayanihan Quezon City Filipino word for "community brotherhood."[2]
BF Homes Caloocan, BF Homes Parañaque and BF International Village Caloocan, Parañaque and Las Piñas Banco Filipino, the gated communities' developer
Bicutan
(Central Bicutan, Lower Bicutan, Upper Bicutan and Western Bicutan)		 Taguig Old Tagalog word, meaning "to dig", referring to the digging for treasures in the area in its early history.[7]
Bignay Valenzuela Named for the bignay tree.[9]
Binondo Manila Spanish rendering of the old Tagalog name binundok, meaning mountainous or hilly.
Buli Muntinlupa Named for the buri palm.
Bungad Quezon City Filipino word for "front."
Calumpang Marikina Spanish rendering of "kalumpang", a type of tropical chestnuts.
Camp Aguinaldo Quezon City Emilio Aguinaldo, first president of the Philippines
Camp Crame and West Crame Quezon City and San Juan Rafael Crame, sixth chief of the Philippine Constabulary and the first Filipino to hold the position.[5]
Caniogan Pasig Filipino word for "a place where coconut grows."
Carmona Makati Isidro Carmona, Filipino soldier during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War.[10]
Cembo and South Cembo Taguig Acronym for "Central Enlisted Men's Barrio."[11]
Comembo Taguig Acronym for "Combat Enlisted Men's Barrio."[11]
Cubao Quezon City Spanish rendering of kubaw, a local species of banana.[12]
Cupang Muntinlupa Named for the cupang tree.[13]
Daang Bakal Mandaluyong Filipino word for "railroad," in reference to the village's location along a former Manila tranvía (tram) line and as the former location of one of the four tranvía stations in the former San Felipe Neri municipality.[14]
Dalandanan Valenzuela Named for the local orange trees (dalandan) that stood in the area.[15]
Damayan Lagi Quezon City Filipino phrase, meaning "perpetual help."[2]
Dasmariñas Village Makati Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, Spanish governor-general.[16]
San Francisco del Monte (SFDM) / Del Monte Quezon City Named after St. Francis. Del Monte (from the mountain) was affixed to the name distinguish it from San Francisco de Manila, a Franciscan church in Intramuros, Manila.[17]
Diliman Quezon City From dilim, a type of fern.[18]
Divisoria Manila
Tondo and Binondo		 Spanish for "dividing line" (línea divisoria)
Don Bosco Parañaque Saint John Bosco.
Don Galo Parañaque Galo of Parañaque, a local hero of the 1574 Battle of Manila.[19]
Don Manuel Quezon City Manuel L. Quezon, second president of the Philippines.[2]
Doña Aurora Quezon City Aurora Quezon, first lady of the Philippines.[2]
Doña Imelda Quezon City Imelda Marcos, first lady of the Philippines.[2]
Doña Josefa Quezon City Josefa Edralin Marcos, mother of Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos.[2]
E. Rodriguez Quezon City Eulogio Rodriguez, Filipino senator.[2]
Ermita Manila Spanish for "hermitage" or solitary place.[20]
Ermitaño San Juan Spanish word for "hermit."
Escopa
(I, II, III and IV)		 Quezon City Acronym for "First Company of the Philippine Army."[21]
Forbes Park Makati William Cameron Forbes, American governor-general.[22]
Fort Bonifacio Taguig Andrés Bonifacio, Filipino revolutionary and hero.
Fortune Marikina Fortune Tobacco Corporation, a cigarette manufacturing company based in the village.[23]
Gen. T. de Leon Valenzuela Tiburcio de León, Filipino general and revolutionary
Greenhills San Juan Greenhills (mixed-use development) and Greenhills, Ohio, USA
Guadalupe Nuevo and Guadalupe Viejo Makati Our Lady of Guadalupe
Hagonoy Taguig Named for the hagonoy plant that was prevalent in the area.[7]
Hulo Mandaluyong Old Tagalog word for "outer part" or "external" referring to the barrio's location from the town's poblacion.[24]
Intramuros Manila Latin for "within the walls."
Isabelita San Juan Isabelita Barredo, matriarch of a local real estate company that owned and developed the Isabelita Heights gated village in the area.[25]
Jesus dela Peña Marikina Jesús de la Peña ("Jesus of the Rocks"), an Order of Saint Augustine parish founded in the area during the Spanish colonial era.[23]
Kaligayahan Quezon City Filipino word for "happiness."[2]
Kalusugan Quezon City Filipino word for "health."[2]
Kapitolyo Pasig Filipino word for "capitol," a corruption of the Spanish word capitolio. Named for its proximity to the former Rizal provincial capitol.[26]
Karuhatan Valenzuela From the Tagalog word kaduhatan, meaning "where duhat (black plum) trees grow."[27]
Katipunan Quezon City Katipunan, a Filipino revolutionary society.[2]
Kaunlaran Quezon City Filipino word for "progress."[2]
Krus na Ligas Quezon City Named for a local type of nut tree which took the form of a cross.[28]
La Huerta Parañaque Spanish for "the orchard."[29]
La Loma Quezon City Spanish for "the knoll."[30]
Laging Handa Quezon City Filipino for "always prepared," the motto of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines after whom the village was named.[31]
Little Baguio San Juan Baguio, Cordillera
Loyola Heights Quezon City and Marikina Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Mabini–J. Rizal Mandaluyong Apolinario Mabini, Filipino statesman and revolutionary, and José Rizal, Filipino national hero. The village was named for its location at the junction of Mabini and Rizal streets.
Magallanes Makati Ferdinand Magellan, Portuguese explorer.[32]
Magsaysay Quezon City Ramon Magsaysay, seventh president of the Philippines.[2]
Maharlika and Maharlika Village Quezon City and Taguig Old Tagalog word for "noble".[2]
Malamig Mandaluyong Filipino word which means "Cold."
Malanday Valenzuela and Marikina Old Tagalog word which means "a bowl plate" or "round and flat" in reference to the shape of the territory similar to a winnower.[23][33]
Malate Manila Spanish rendering of the Tagalog word maalat meaning salty.
Malaya Quezon City Filipino word which means "free."[2]
Malibay Pasay Old Tagalog word for "a place teeming with herds of deer (libay)."[34]
Malinta Valenzuela Filipino word for "where there are many leeches" (lintâ).[35]
Marilag Quezon City Old Tagalog word for "beautiful."[2]
Mariana Mariana Mariana Wilson, a community leader and one of the original residents of New Manila.[36]
Marulas Valenzuela Old Tagalog word for "slippery", in reference to the muddy topography of the area where a stud farm once stood.[37]
Masagana Quezon City Filipino word for "bountiful."[2]
Maypajo Caloocan Contraction of the Tagalog phrase "may pajotan" ("where there is pajotan"), a variety of mango that grew in abundance in the area.[38]
Maysan Valenzuela Filipino word for "corn field."[39]
Milagrosa Quezon City Spanish and Filipino word for "miraculous."[2]
N.S. Amoranto Quezon City Norberto Amoranto, fifth mayor of Quezon City.[2]
Nagkaisang Nayon Quezon City Filipino phrase which means "united village."[2]
Nangka Marikina Filipino word for "jackfruit".[23]
Napindan Taguig Old Tagalog word which means "pierced through," referring to the creation of a water channel in the area linking Laguna de Bay and the Pasig River.[7]
Novaliches Quezon City The district of Novaliches in Jérica, Valencian Community, Spain where governor-general Manuel Pavía y Lacy was honored as its first marquess.[40]
Olympia Makati Olympia, a tile and brick factory that once stood in the area on the banks of the Pasig River ca. 1925.[10]
Onse San Juan Block number 11 (onse in Filipino)[41]
Paang Bundok Quezon City Filipino for "mountain foot"
Paco Manila Spanish rendering of the old Tagalog name for edible vegetable fern (pako).[20]
Pagibig sa Nayon Quezon City Filipino phrase which means "love of village."[2]
Paligsahan Quezon City Filipino word for "competition."[2]
Palingon Taguig Filipino word for "to look back."[7]
Pandacan Manila Spanish rendering of the old Tagalog word for the place "where the pandan plant (Pandanus gracilis) grows."[42]
Paraiso Quezon City Spanish and Filipino word for "paradise."[2]
Pariancillo Villa Valenzuela Spanish for small parián or market place.
Pasadena San Juan Contraction of Paso de Cadena de Amor (Coral Vine Way), in reference to the prevalence of coral vines (cadena de amor in Filipino) in the village.[43]
Paso de Blas Valenzuela Spanish for "Blaise's pass", named in honor of the village patron, Saint Blaise.[44]
Pembo Taguig Acronym for "Panthers Enlisted Men's Barrio."[11]
Phil-Am Quezon City Philam Life, the gated village's developer.[45]
Pio del Pilar Makati Pío del Pilar, Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War.[46]
Pinagkaisahan Quezon City and Makati Filipino word for "united."[2]
Pinagsama Taguig Filipino word for "united" or "combined" in reference to the joining of seven villages.
Polo Valenzuela Spanish rendering of the Tagalog word "pulo"" which means "island."[47]
Progreso San Juan Spanish for "progress."
Pulang Lupa
(Pulang Lupa Uno and Pulang Lupa Dos)		 Las Piñas Filipino for "red earth," in reference to its old industry of tisa or brick production.[48]
Putatan Muntinlupa From putat, a local variety of flowering plants in the Lecythidaceae family that was common in the lakeside village.[49]
Quiapo Manila Spanish rendering of the old Tagalog name kiyapo, a type of water cabbage common in the area.[50]
Quirino
(1, 2A, 2B, 2C and 3A)		 Quezon City Elpidio Quirino, sixth president of the Philippines.[2]
Rembo
(East Rembo and West Rembo)		 Taguig Acronym for "Riverside Enlisted Men's Barrio."[11]
Rincon Valenzuela Spanish for "corner."[51]
Rizal Taguig José Rizal, Filipino national hero.
Roxas Quezon City Manuel Roxas, fifth president of the Philippines.[2]
Salapan San Juan from salapang, a local "bamboo spear" that was used by early settlers to catch fish in the Salapan creek.[52]
Salvacion Quezon City Spanish for "salvation."[2]
Sampaloc Manila Spanish rendering of the Tagalog word sampalok (tamarind).
Sangandaan Caloocan Filipino word for "crossroad."
Santa Mesa Manila Spanish for "holy table," a contraction of "Hermandad de Santa Mesa de la Misericordia" (Brotherhood of the Holy Table of Mercy).
Socorro Quezon City Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro (Our Lady of Perpetual Help), the village patron.[2]
Sucat Muntinlupa Spanish rendering of the Tagalog word for "measurement" (sukat).[53]
Tagumpay Quezon City Filipino word for "victory."[2]
Tambo Parañaque Filipino word for tiger grass.[54]
Tandang Sora Quezon City Melchora Aquino, Filipina independence activist.
Tibagan San Juan Filipino for "a place where they crush boulders," in reference to a limestone quarry that operated in the area.[55]
Tipas
(Calzada-Tipas, Ibayo-Tipas and Ligid-Tipas)		 Taguig Old Tagalog word for "detour", referring to a meander in the river.[7] Calzada is Spanish for "roadway," Ibayo is Old Tagalog for "opposite side," and Ligid is Old Tagalog for "surrounding."[7]
Tondo Manila Spanish rendering of the old Tagalog name tundok, a type of river mangrove that was prevalent in the area.
Tuktukan Taguig Old Tagalog word for "a place where people wash clothes."[7]
Tunasan Muntinlupa Named for tunas, a type of water lily.
Ugong and Ugong Norte Pasig, Valenzuela and Quezon City Filipino word for "roaring sound" of a river, referring to the Marikina River in Ugong, Pasig and Tullahan River in Ugong, Valenzuela.
Unang Sigaw Quezon City Filipino for "first cry" in reference to the village's role in the Cry of Pugad Lawin.[2]
Urdaneta Village Makati Andrés de Urdaneta, Spanish circumnavigator.[32]
Ususan Taguig Old Tagalog word for "a place where the river drains or slides."[7]
Veinte Reales Valenzuela Spanish for "twenty reals" referring to the cost of the land purchased during the Spanish colonial era.[56]
Wack-Wack Mandaluyong English rendering of the uwak, a type of local large-billed crow.[24]
Wawa Taguig Old Tagalog word for "upstream."[7]

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Samonte, S. (3 September 2018). "Quezon City: Home to beautifully-named barangays". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Landmarks". City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Baclaran". City Government of Parañaque. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Barangay West Crame". City Government of San Juan. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Barangay Balong Bato". City Government of San Juan. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Taguig City Comprehensive Land Use and Zoning Plan 2005". City Government of Taguig (Slideshare). 3 October 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Barangay Batis". City Government of San Juan. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
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  11. ^ a b c d Limos, M.A. (24 September 2019). "The Military Roots of Cembo, Rembo, and Pembo Districts". Esquire Magazine. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  12. ^ Poter, Jean-Paul G. (2013). Arabic and Persian Loanwords in Tagalog. Lulu.com, 278.
  13. ^ Deb. D.B. (1981)."The Flora of Tripura State". [vol I].pp. 134-135. Today & Tomorrows Printers and publishers. 24-B15. Deshbandhu Gupta Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi- 110005.
  14. ^ "Demography". City Government of Mandaluyong. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  15. ^ "Dalandanan". City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
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  17. ^ Doyo, Ma Ceres P. (2020-10-15). "Rename Del Monte Avenue after FPJ?". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
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  19. ^ "District I-Barangay Don Galo". City Government of Parañaque. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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  29. ^ "District I-Barangay La Huerta". City Government of Parañaque. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  30. ^ Enano, J.O. (4 June 2017). "'Lechon capital' next on QC's urban renewal menu". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
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  32. ^ a b Ocampo, A.R. (19 October 2018). "How to eat Magellan with tausi". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  33. ^ "Malanday". City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  34. ^ Dery, Luis Camara. (2001)."A History of the Inarticulate: Local History, Prostitution, and Other Views from the Bottom". p. 24. New Day Publishers (University of Michigan).
  35. ^ "Malinta". City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  36. ^ History of QC Barangays: Journey to Early Beginnings of Quezon City Barangays. Vol. 1. Quezon City: Quezon City Public Library. 2019.
  37. ^ "Marulas". City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
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  41. ^ "Barangay Onse". City Government of San Juan. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  42. ^ Reyes, I. (24 September 2019). "This Pandacan house was a 1930s movie studio, birthplace of the Pinoy talking picture". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  43. ^ "Barangay Pasadena". City Government of San Juan. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  44. ^ "Paso de Blas". City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
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  48. ^ Tangian, C.B. "Las Piñas Historical Corridor: The Heritage and Landmarks of the National Capital Region, Philippines" (PDF). Eminent Association of Researchers. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  49. ^ "Brgy. Putatan". City Government of Muntinlupa. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  50. ^ Cristina Evangelista Torres (2010). The Americanization of Manila, 1898-1921, p. 25. UP Press.
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  53. ^ "Brgy. Sucat". City Government of Muntinlupa. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
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  56. ^ "Veinte Reales". City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved 11 March 2020.