How Mumbai’s Most Iconic Neighborhoods Got Their Names

इस शहर में जीने के अंदाज़ निराले हैं

होंटों पे लतीफ़े हैं आवाज़ में छाले हैं |

— Javed Akhtar

The wonders of this city are unique & little-known,

Jokes on our lips, blisters in our tone.

If you've ever wandered through Mumbai’s neighborhoods, you might have felt a strange mix of curiosity and nostalgia. Each area name—whether it's the bustling Chor Bazaar or the leafy lanes of Cumbala Hill—seems to carry a story from another time. Growing up or just living here, we often take these names for granted, rarely stopping to wonder how they came to be. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that each one has a story that reflects Mumbai’s layered past, filled with quirks, mispronunciations, and links to far-off places. Here’s a look at the hidden histories behind some of the city’s most fascinating neighborhood names, revealing the unexpected ways they came to define the places we know today.

Cumbala Hill’s name likely comes from Kambata, a region in Ethiopia. According to historian Richard M. Eaton, African Habshi soldiers were brought to India as part of the medieval slave trade, often rising to important roles in military and society. The name “Cumbala” remains a quiet nod to this forgotten link between Africa and India.

This famous “Thieves’ Market” was originally called Shor Bazaar due to the busy streets along Mohammed Ali Road. When the British struggled with the pronunciation, the name morphed into Chor Bazaar. As it turned out, the new name was fitting — stolen goods and unique vintage items soon filled its stalls. One popular story even claims that Queen Victoria’s violin, lost while unloading her ship, was found for sale here.

As the name suggests, Four Bungalows in Andheri got its name from the four British bungalows that once stood there during the colonial period. Two of them still exist today, close to Good Shepherd Church. This is one area where the name reflects exactly what was there.

Breach Candy, a high-end area near Haji Ali Dargah, is likely a distortion of ‘Burj Khadi’, a mix of Arabic and Hindi meaning “standing tower.” Another theory is that “Candy” came from Khind, meaning “gap” or “narrow pass,” referencing the natural break between Malabar Hill and Cumbala Hill. Either way, the name’s real origins have little to do with candy.

Bhendi Bazaar may sound like it refers to bhindi (okra), but it actually comes from the British description of the area “behind the bazaar.” The British referred to the section north of Crawford Market this way, and locals eventually adopted the name as Bhendi Bazaar.

If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:

How Train Stations In Mumbai Were Named

How Were These Iconic Bengaluru Streets & Areas Named?

What's In A Name? : The History Of Some Of Kolkata's Most Iconic Street Names