Toronto has a myriad of Neighbourhoods each with their own distinct identity and name. Many of these names evolved from the small villages and towns that are the genesis of today's neighbourhoods. Some neighbourhoods adopted the name of a local historic landmark or a pioneer family from the area, while others were named by developers who created planned neighbourhoods. The City of Toronto as well as local ratepayers associations have also played a hand in the naming of some of Toronto's residential neighbourhoods.

The following represents a sample of some of Toronto's most interesting neighbourhood designations and the origin of these names. One of the catchiest of these names is Cabbagetown. It turns out the first Irish settlers who arrived here were very poor and grew cabbages on their front lawns to help feed their families; hence the name Cabbagetown. Rosedale is a fitting name for Toronto's signature neighbourhood. Mary Jarvis an original homesteader rode horses through trails on her property and marvelled at the profusion of wild roses dotting the hillsides, thus the name Rosedale was born. 

Davisville Village is named after a prominent early settler in that area. Eatonville, Henry Farm, and Baby Point are some other Toronto neighbourhoods that pay homage to a prominent early settler in the community. Historic neighbourhood landmarks that have had neighbourhoods named after them include: Fort York (millitary garrison), Grange Park (historic AGO building), St. Lawrence (food market), Casa Loma (Toronto's castle), Deer Park (hotel), Old Mill (restaurant and Inn) , Bridel Path (equestrian trail) and Cricket Club (private sports and recreation club).

Toronto's old villages and towns are remembered in our neighbourhood names including: Brockton Village, Carleton Village, Earlscourt, Forest Hill, Swansea, Bedford Park, North Toronto, Parkdale, Islington Village, Seaton Village, Weston, Willowdale, Newtonbrook, Agincourt, Highland Creek, Scarborough Village, Runnymede, West Hill, West Toronto Junction and Yorkville.

Plans of subdivision led to the creation of numerous neighbourhoods whose names paid homage to the developer or a neighbourhood landmark. These include: Chaplin Estates, Lawrence Park, Lytton Park, Moore Park, Summerhill, Playter Estates, Silverthorn, Bayview Village, Don Mills, Windfields, Markland Wood and Humber Valley Village.

Did you know Leaside is named after the eight-sided octagonal house built by its first settler William Lea or that Thorncliffe Park is named after a horse race track that once operated in that neighbourhood. The Sunnylea neighbourhood was chosen in a contest from among local school children, Topham Park is named after one of Canada's greatest war veterans. Leslieville was the apple orchard of farmer George Leslie, and Little Italy has been the launching pad for many Italian Canadian families.

The Beach and the Junction Triangle held town plebiscites to vote on the official name for their respective neighbourhoods. The Rathnelly neighbourhood adopted the nickname the "Republic of Rathnelly in 1967 while celebrating Canada's 100th birthday. Residents of this midtown neighbourhood playfully declared themselves an independent republic, electing their own queen, and organizing an "air farce" consisting of 1,000 helium balloons. Speaking of Kings and Queens we have The Queensway, Kingsview Village and Kingsway Park neighbourhoods as well as Princess Anne Manor and Princess Gardens. One of Toronto's newest residential neighbourhoods The Historic Distillery District was born out of one of the oldest collections of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America. Toronto history is indeed alive and well in our neighbourhood names.