Etymologies of street names in San Francisco, California

This is a list place name
Toponymy
Toponymy is the scientific study of place names , their origins, meanings, use and typology. The word "toponymy" is derived from the Greek words tópos and ónoma . Toponymy is itself a branch of onomastics, the study of names of all kinds...

etymologies in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

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Place	Namesake	Notes
Alemany Boulevard Alemany Boulevard Alemany Boulevard is an east–west street in San Francisco, California. The boulevard was named for Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany, the first bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco....	Joseph Sadoc Alemany Joseph Sadoc Alemany Joseph Sadoc Alemany y Conill, O.P. was a Catalan American Roman Catholic archbishop and missionary. He served as the first Bishop of Monterey from 1850 until 1853, and as the first Archbishop of San Francisco from 1853 until 1884.-Background:Born in Vic, 60 km north of Barcelona, Spain , Alemany...
Alvarado Street	Juan Bautista Alvarado Juan Bautista Alvarado Juan Bautista Valentín Alvarado y Vallejo was a Californio and twice Governor of Alta California from 1836 to 1837, and 1838 to 1842.-Early years:...
Anza Street	Juan Bautista de Anza Juan Bautista de Anza Juan Bautista de Anza Bezerra Nieto was a Novo-Spanish explorer and Governor of New Mexico for the Spanish Empire.-Early life:...
Arguello Boulevard	José Darío Argüello José Darío Argüello José Darío Argüello was a Spanish soldier and California pioneer, and twice governor of California.-Biography:José Darío Argüello was born in Santiago de Querétaro, New Spain ....
Baker Street	Edward Dickinson Baker Edward Dickinson Baker Edward Dickinson Baker was an English-born American politician, lawyer, military leader. In his political career, Baker served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois and later as a U.S. Senator from Oregon. A long-time close friend of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Baker served as U.S...
Balboa Street	Vasco Núñez de Balboa Vasco Núñez de Balboa Vasco Núñez de Balboa was a Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador. He is best known for having crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513, becoming the first European to lead an expedition to have seen or reached the Pacific from the New World.He traveled to the New World in...
Bartlett Street	Washington Allon Bartlett Washington Allon Bartlett Washington Allon Bartlett was the first alcalde of the American-era San Francisco serving from August 14, 1846 to January 31, 1847.-Early life and career:...	Bartlett was the first alcalde of San Francisco and is often confused with Governor Washington Montgomery Bartlett, the city's twentieth mayor
Beale Street	Edward Fitzgerald Beale Edward Fitzgerald Beale Edward Fitzgerald "Ned" Beale was a national figure in 19th century America. He was naval officer, military general, explorer, frontiersman, Indian affairs superintendent, California rancher, diplomat, and friend of Kit Carson, Buffalo Bill Cody and Ulysses S. Grant...
Bernal Avenue	Juan Francisco Bernal
Bluxome Street	Isaac Bluxome, Jr.
Brannan Street	Samuel Brannan Samuel Brannan Samuel Brannan was an American settler, businessman, and journalist, who founded the "California Star" newspaper in San Francisco, California...
Brenham Place	Charles James Brenham Charles James Brenham Charles James Brenham was the second and fourth mayor of San Francisco in 1851 and from 1852 to 1853.Brenham was born on November 6, 1817 in Frankfort, Kentucky. At an early age, he left home to work on riverboats on the Mississippi. By age twenty, he ran his own steamship...
Broderick Street	David C. Broderick David C. Broderick David Colbreth Broderick was a Democratic U.S. Senator from California. He was a first cousin of Andrew Kennedy and Case Broderick.-Early life and education:...
Bryant Street	Edwin Bryant Edwin Bryant Edwin Francis Bryant is an American indologist. He received his Ph.D. in Indic languages and Cultures from Columbia University in 1997. He was a visiting scholar at the Center for the Study of World Religion, Harvard University, from 1997-2000...
Buchanan Street	John C. Buchanan John C. Buchanan (businessman) John C. Buchanan arrived in San Francisco in 1846 by overland route from Kentucky. Buchanan was a member of Frémont’s Battalion, and was also owner of many town lots. In 1847 he was alcalde’s clerk under Bryant and Hyde, in 1848 a partner in the firm of McDonald & Buchanan, auctioneers and...	It had been assumed that Buchanan Street was named after James Buchanan James Buchanan James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century.... , the President of the United States President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... who took office in March 1857. However, an 1856 map was found to have also included the street name. It is probable then that the street was actually named for the local pioneer John C. Buchanan.
Burnett Avenue	Peter Burnett
Bush Street	J.P. Bush	May have been named after a cabin boy Cabin boy A Cabin boy or ship's boy is a boy who waits on the officers and passengers of a ship, especially running errands for the captain.... who was an assistant to city mapper, Jasper O'Farrell. Briefly became "Obama Street" by vandals on the day of the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was a Portuguese explorer noted for his exploration of the west coast of North America on behalf of Spain. Cabrillo was the first European explorer to navigate the coast of present day California in the United States...
California Street California Street (San Francisco) California Street is a major thoroughfare in San Francisco, California. Fifty-four blocks of California Street, from Van Ness Avenue westward to 32nd Avenue, comprised the last major leg of the final 1928 alignment of the Lincoln Highway, the first road across America, leading out to the highway's...	State of California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Castro Street Castro Street Castro Street may refer to:* Castro Street in The Castro, San Francisco, California* Castro Street , a 1966 short documentary film directed by Bruce Baillie* Castro Street Station, a Muni Metro underground station in San Francisco...	José Castro	A Californio leader of Mexican opposition to U.S. rule in California in the 19th century, and alcalde (mayor) of Alta California from 1835-1836.
Cezar Chavez Street	César Chávez César Chávez César Estrada Chávez was an American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers ....	Was formerly named "Army Street" until 1995.
Clark Street	William S. Clark
Cole Street	Cornelius Cole Cornelius Cole Cornelius Cole served a single term in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican representing California from 1863 to 1865, and another term in the United States Senate from 1867 to 1873.-Life:...
Coleman Street	William T. Coleman
Davidson Street	George Davidson George Davidson (geographer) George Davidson was an geodesist, astronomer, geographer, surveyor and engineer in the United States.-Biography:Born May 9, 1825 in England, he came to the U.S. in 1832 with his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania...
Davis Street	William Davis
De Haro Street	Francisco de Haro Francisco de Haro Francisco de Haro was the first Alcalde of Yerba Buena in 1834.-Life:De Haro was born in Compostela, Nayarit, Mexico and came to San Francisco in 1819. He was the first Alcalde of Yerba Buena in 1834. He was instrumental in planning the street grid of the town along with Englishman William A....	First alcalde (mayor) of Yerba Buena (now San Francisco)
Dolores Street	Mission Dolores	Also named after the creek that used to run through the Mission, Arroyo de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, or "Our Lady of Sorrows Creek."
Fillmore Street Fillmore Street Fillmore Street is a street in San Francisco, California, named after American President Millard Fillmore which starts in the Lower Haight neighborhood, and travels northward through the Fillmore District and Pacific Heights and ends in the Marina District...	Millard Fillmore Millard Fillmore Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States and the last member of the Whig Party to hold the office of president...
Folsom Street	Captain Joseph Folsom
Franklin Street	Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
Fremont Street	John Charles Fremont
Fulton Street	Robert Fulton Robert Fulton Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat...
Funston Street	Frederick Funston Frederick Funston Frederick N. Funston also known as Fred Funston, was a General in the United States Army, best known for his role in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War...
Geary Boulevard Geary Boulevard Geary Boulevard is a major east-west thoroughfare in San Francisco, California, beginning downtown at Market Street near Market Street's intersection with Montgomery Street, and running westbound through downtown, the Civic Center area, the Western Addition, and running for most of its length...	John W. Geary John W. Geary John White Geary was an American lawyer, politician, Freemason, and a Union general in the American Civil War...
Grant Street	Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
Gough Street	John Bartholomew Gough John Bartholomew Gough John Bartholomew Gough was a United States temperance orator.-Biography:He was born at Sandgate, Kent, England, and was educated by his mother, a schoolmistress. At the age of twelve, after his father died, he was sent to the United States to seek his fortune...	Washingtonian who preached abstinence from alcohol
Guerrero Street	Francisco Guerrero Francisco Guerrero (politician) Francisco Guerrero was the Alcalde of Yerba Buena in 1836 and 1839.-Life:Guerrero was born in Tepic, Mexico. He came to California with the Hijar-Padres Colony in 1834, and settled in San Francisco. He was married to Josefa De Haro and had five sons...	Former alcalde (mayor) of Yerba Buena (now San Francisco)
Haight Street Haight Street Haight Street, in San Francisco, is perhaps best known as the principal street in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, also known as Upper Haight. It stretches from Market Street to Stanyan Street, at Golden Gate Park. It is named after California pioneer and exchange banker Henry Haight ....	Henry Haight Henry Haight Henry Huntly Haight was the tenth Governor of California from December 5, 1867 to December 8, 1871.-Life:Son of Fletcher Mathews Haight, he was born in Rochester, New York, and graduated from Yale University...
Harrison Street	Edward H. Harrison
Hayes Street	Rutherford B. Hayes Rutherford B. Hayes Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
Howard Street	William Davis Merry Howard William Davis Merry Howard William Davis Merry Howard was a native of Boston, Massachusetts who came to California in 1839 as a cabin boy on a sailing ship. For several years he worked on ships trading hides and tallow along the Pacific coast. In 1845 he formed the San Francisco merchant business of Mellus & Howard...
Hyde Street	George Hyde
Irving Street	Washington Irving Washington Irving Washington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century. He was best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle", both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works...
Jackson Street	Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
Jefferson Street	Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
Jones Street	Elbert Jones
Judah Street	Theodore Judah Theodore Judah Theodore Dehone Judah was an American railroad engineer who dreamed of the first Transcontinental Railroad. He found investors for what became the Central Pacific Railroad...
Junipero Serra Boulevard Junipero Serra Boulevard Junipero Serra Boulevard is a major boulevard in and south of San Francisco. Within the city, it forms part of the route of State Route 1, the shortest connection between Interstate 280 and the Golden Gate Bridge. The remainder, in San Mateo County, has been bypassed or replaced by I-280, the...	Junipero Serra Junípero Serra Blessed Junípero Serra, O.F.M., , known as Fra Juníper Serra in Catalan, his mother tongue was a Majorcan Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain—present day California, United States. Fr...
Kearny Street Kearny Street Kearny Street in San Francisco, California runs north from Market Street to The Embarcadero, with a gap on Telegraph Hill. Toward its south end, it separates the Financial District from the Union Square and Chinatown districts. Further north, it passes over Telegraph Hill.-History:Kearny Street...	Stephen W. Kearny Stephen W. Kearny Stephen Watts Kearny surname also appears as Kearney in some historic sources; August 30, 1794 October 31, 1848), was one of the foremost antebellum frontier officers of the United States Army. He is remembered for his significant contributions in the Mexican-American War, especially the conquest...
Larkin Street	Thomas Larkin Thomas O. Larkin Thomas Oliver Larkin was an early American emigrant to Alta California and a signer of the original California Constitution. He was the United States' first and only consul to the California Republic.-Early years:...
Lawton Street	Henry Ware Lawton Henry Ware Lawton Henry Ware Lawton was a highly respected U.S. Army officer who served with distinction in the Civil War, the Apache Wars, the Spanish-American War and was the only U.S. general officer to be killed during the Philippine-American War...
Leese Street	Jacob P. Leese Jacob P. Leese Jacob Primer Leese was a San Francisco pioneer, who built the first permanent house in San Francisco...
Leidesdorff Street	William Leidesdorff William Leidesdorff William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. was one of the earliest mixed-race U.S. citizens in California and a highly successful, enterprising businessman. He was a West Indian immigrant of African Cuban, possibly Carib, Danish and Jewish ancestry. William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. became a United...
McAllister Street	Hall McAllister
Mason Street	Richard Barnes Mason Richard Barnes Mason Richard Barnes Mason was a career general officer in the United States Army and the fifth military governor of California before it became a U.S. state.-Early life:...
Montgomery Street Montgomery Street Montgomery Street is a north-south thoroughfare in San Francisco, California, in the United States.It runs about 16 blocks from the Telegraph Hill neighborhood south through downtown, terminating at Market Street. South of Columbus Avenue, Montgomery Street runs through the heart of San Francisco's...	John B. Montgomery John B. Montgomery John Berrien Montgomery was an officer in the United States Navy who served during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.-Biography:...
Moraga Street	José Joaquín Moraga José Joaquín Moraga José Joaquín de la Santísima Trinidad Moraga was an early explorer to Alta California...
Noe Street	José de Jesús Noé José de Jesús Noé José de Jesús Noé was the last Mexican alcalde of Yerba Buena, which was renamed San Francisco after the conclusion of the Mexican-American War in 1846. He was appointed to the position twice: first as the 7th Alcalde and again as the 12th Alcalde in 1846...	The last Mexican alcalde (mayor) of Yerba Buena (now San Francisco)
O'Farrell Street	Jasper O'Farrell
O'Shaughnessy Boulevard	Michael O'Shaughnessy Michael O'Shaughnessy Michael Maurice O'Shaughnessy was an Irish Civil engineer who became city engineer for the city of San Francisco during the first part of the twentieth century and developed the Hetch-Hetchy water system.-Life:...
Ortega Street	José Francisco Ortega José Francisco Ortega José Francisco Ortega was soldier and early settler of California.-Early life:Ortega was born in 1734 at Zelaya, Guanajuanto, Mexico, where he worked as a warehouse clerk. In 1755, he enlisted and served at the Presidio at Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto. In 1759 Ortega married María Antonia...
Otis Street	James Otis James Otis (politician) James Otis was a politician from San Francisco. James Otis was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 11, 1826 Otis then moved to San Francisco for the 1849 California Gold Rush. Otis then became an importer and exporter in San Francisco. He then became a member of the Board of Supervisors in...
Pacheco Street	Salvio Pacheco	Owner of the Rancho Monte del Diablo Rancho Monte del Diablo Rancho Monte del Diablo was a Mexican land grant in present day Contra Costa County, California given in 1834 by Governor José Figueroa to Salvio Pacheco. The name "Monte del Diablo" means "thicket of the devil" in Spanish. The name was later incorrectly translated as Mount Diablo... in the East Bay.
Phelan Avenue	James D. Phelan James D. Phelan James Duval Phelan was an American politician, civic leader and banker.-Early years:Phelan was born in San Francisco, the son of an Irish immigrant who became wealthy during the California Gold Rush as a trader, merchant and banker. He graduated from St...
Pierce Street	Franklin Pierce Franklin Pierce Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
Polk Street	James K. Polk James K. Polk James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
Portola Avenue	Gaspar de Portolà Gaspar de Portolà Gaspar de Portolà i Rovira was a soldier, governor of Baja and Alta California , explorer and founder of San Diego and Monterey. He was born in Os de Balaguer, province of Lleida, in Catalonia, Spain, of Catalan nobility. Don Gaspar served as a soldier in the Spanish army in Italy and Portugal...
Sanchez Street	Francisco Sanchez
Sloat Boulevard	Commodore John D. Sloat John D. Sloat John Drake Sloat was a commodore in the United States Navy who, in 1846, claimed California for the United States.-Life:...
Spear Street	Nathan Spear
Stockton Street Stockton Street (San Francisco) Stockton Street is a north-south street in San Francisco. It begins at Market Street passing Union Square, a major shopping district in the city. It then runs under the Stockton Street Tunnel, through Chinatown and North Beach, and ends at Beach Street near Pier 39...	Robert F. Stockton Robert F. Stockton Robert Field Stockton was a United States naval commodore, notable in the capture of California during the Mexican-American War. He was a naval innovator and an early advocate for a propeller-driven, steam-powered navy. Stockton was from a notable political family and also served as a U.S...
Sutter Street	John Sutter John Sutter Johann Augus Sutter was a Swiss pioneer of California known for his association with the California Gold Rush by the discovery of gold by James W. Marshall and the mill making team at Sutter's Mill, and for establishing Sutter's Fort in the area that would eventually become Sacramento, the...
Taraval Street	Sigismundo Taraval Sigismundo Taraval Sigismundo Taraval was a pioneering Jesuit missionary in Baja California who left important historical accounts of the peninsula.Born in Lodi, Lombardy, he served initially as missionary at La Purísima and San Ignacio, among the Cochimí...
Taylor Street	Zachary Taylor Zachary Taylor Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
Ulloa Street	Antonio de Ulloa Antonio de Ulloa Antonio de Ulloa y de la Torre-Girault was a Spanish general, explorer, author, astronomer, colonial administrator and the first Spanish governor of Louisiana.Rebellion of 1768]]....
Valencia Street	Candelario Valencia	Owner of the Rancho Acalanes Rancho Acalanes Rancho Acalanes was a Mexican land grant in present day Contra Costa County, California given in 1834 by Governor José Figueroa to Candelario Valencia. The name Acalanes seems to have come from the name of a Costanoan native village in the area, Ahala-n. The rancho included present day... which is now Lafayette, California Lafayette, California Lafayette is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 23,893. It was named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military hero of the American Revolutionary War... .
Vallejo Street	Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was a Californian military commander, politician, and rancher. He was born a subject of Spain, performed his military duties as an officer of Mexico, and shaped the transition of California from a Mexican district to an American state...
Van Ness Avenue Van Ness Avenue (San Francisco) Van Ness Avenue is a north-south thoroughfare in San Francisco, California, running from Market St north to the Bay. Originally named Marlette Street, the street was renamed Van Ness Avenue in honor of the city's seventh mayor, James Van Ness. Van Ness Avenue begins at Market Street near the Civic...	James Van Ness James Van Ness James Van Ness was the seventh mayor of San Francisco, USA from 1855 to 1856.He was the son of Dutch-American Vermont Governor Cornelius Van Ness and father-in-law of future San Francisco mayor Frank McCoppin. Prior to being mayor, he had been a lawyer in the U.S. South and then a San Francisco...
Vicente Street	Vicente Yáñez Pinzón Vicente Yáñez Pinzón Vicente Yáñez Pinzón was a Spanish navigator, explorer, and conquistador, the youngest of the Pinzón brothers...
Wawona Street	Wawona, California Wawona, California Wawona is a census-designated place in Mariposa County, California. It is located east of Mariposa, at an elevation of 3999 feet...
Washington Street	George Washington George Washington George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
Yorba Street	José Antonio Yorba José Antonio Yorba José Antonio Yorba , also known as Don José Antonio Yorba I, was a Spanish soldier and early settler of Spanish California.-Spanish Soldier:...

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