Singapore’s complex place names confuse its residents, leading to amusing and frustrating situations
Singapore, despite being a small island, is home to a bewildering array of place names that confuse both locals and visitors alike. Many Singaporeans have found themselves bewildered by place names that don’t align with their expectations, and they often share their experiences of getting lost or misdirected. For example, Outram Secondary School will move to Sengkang in 2026 without changing its name, despite the fact that the two places are located at opposite ends of the North East Line. Similarly, Tampines Meridian Junior College isn’t even in Tampines—it’s located in Pasir Ris.
Shopping malls, MRT stations, and roads only add to the confusion. Sengkang Grand Mall, despite its name, is located next to Buangkok MRT station, while Farrer Road and Farrer Park are situated far apart in different areas. Other seemingly contradictory names include Queen Street, which is nowhere near Queenstown, and Bukit Merah and Tanah Merah, which aren’t located close to each other either.
Haley, 26, shares her frustration with Raffles City’s proximity to Raffles Place MRT station. Though Raffles City is supposed to be closest to City Hall MRT station, Haley often found herself disoriented, mistakenly alighting at Raffles Place MRT instead, leading to confusion and delays in meeting friends.
Similarly, Daniel, 31, struggles with Farrer Park and Farrer Road MRT stations. The two are located in vastly different parts of Singapore, and Daniel is often unsure if he’s describing the right station. He wonders how one person could have influenced two locations so far apart.
For Lionel, 31, the confusion is centered around Punggol Park and Punggol Waterway Park. The two parks are located in different areas—one in Hougang and the other in Punggol. When arranging to meet a friend, Lionel has to ask for clarification to avoid mixing them up.
Despite the confusion, some Singaporeans see these perplexing names as part of their local identity. Vernon, 36, believes that understanding these confusing place names is a hallmark of being a true Singaporean, saying it’s the small things that make one truly familiar with the island. Similarly, Xue Qi, 25, is baffled by the names of malls like Jurong Point and Jem, feeling that their names don’t align with the locations of the nearest MRT stations.
Even when names don’t make geographical sense, many Singaporeans embrace the quirks of their home and remain patient, as public transport is so efficient that it only takes a few extra minutes to get back on track. For others, the challenge of confusing place names is just another part of living in Singapore.
