As a recent transplant to Jersey City from the West Coast, I’ve been captivated by the unique street names that pepper my new home.

Unlike the familiar names back in California, these streets tell rich stories of the city’s past, reflecting its diverse cultural heritage and historical significance.

As I explore my new surroundings, I can’t help but learn about the origins and meanings behind these names.

Here’s a comprehensive list of some of Jersey City’s streets, complete with a bit of history about each one!

A Streets

Academy Street

  • Named after the Jersey City Academy, an early educational institution in the area.

Astor Place

  • Likely named after John Jacob Astor, a prominent businessman in the early 19th century.

Audubon Avenue

  • Named after John James Audubon, the famous ornithologist and painter known for his studies and illustrations of American birds.

Arlington Avenue

  • Named after Arlington, Virginia, reflecting a common practice of naming streets after other notable places.

B Streets

Baldwin Avenue

  • Named in honor of Cornelius Van Vorst Baldwin, a prominent local politician and mayor of Jersey City in the mid-1800s.

Bergen Avenue

  • Reflects Jersey City’s Dutch heritage, named after the old township of Bergen which was part of New Netherland.

Bostwick Avenue

  • Named after Dr. Richard Bostwick, a prominent early settler and influential figure in the development of Jersey City.

Bayview Avenue

  • Likely named for its scenic views of the bay and waterfront.

C Streets

Christopher Columbus Drive

  • Named to commemorate the famous explorer Christopher Columbus.

Clinton Avenue

  • Likely named after DeWitt Clinton, a governor of New York and a significant figure in the development of the Erie Canal.

Communipaw Avenue

  • Derived from the original Dutch settlement named “Gemoenepaen,” meaning “at the common pasture.”

Coles Street

  • Named after the Coles family, early settlers in Jersey City.

Columbia Avenue

  • Likely named to evoke a sense of national pride and unity, as “Columbia” is a poetic name for America.

D Streets

Danforth Avenue

  • Named after the Danforth family, early settlers and prominent figures in Jersey City’s history.

Duncan Avenue

  • Named after Charles L. Duncan, an early landowner and local politician.

Dudley Street

  • Named after early landowners or influential families in the area.

E Streets

Erie Street

  • Reflects Jersey City’s connections to the Erie Canal and its significance in trade and transport.

Essex Street

  • Named after Essex County, New Jersey, reflecting regional pride.

Exchange Place

  • Named for its historical role as a central location for trade and business exchanges.

F Streets

Fulton Avenue

  • Named in honor of the man himself, Robert Fulton, an engineer and inventor who developed the first commercially successful steamboat.

Franklin Street

  • Likely named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Freeman Avenue

  • Named to honor Nathaniel Freeman, an early resident and local businessman.

Fleet Street

  • Possibly named after the famous street in London, reflecting Jersey City’s historical connections to England.

G Streets

Grove Street

  • Named for the wooded groves that were once prevalent in the area.

Grand Street

  • Reflects the ambition and grandeur envisioned by the city’s planners.

Garfield Avenue

  • Named in honor of our very President James A. Garfield.

Greene Street

  • Named after Nathanael Greene, a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

H Streets

Hamilton Park

  • Named after Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father of our country of the United States and the first Secretary of the Treasury.

Hoboken Avenue

  • Named for the nearby city of Hoboken, reflecting the close geographical and economic ties.

Hudson Street

  • Named after the Hudson River, which forms the eastern boundary of Jersey City.

Harrison Avenue

  • Likely named after President William Henry Harrison or Benjamin Harrison.

J Streets

Jersey Avenue

  • Named to honor the state of New Jersey.

Journal Square

  • Named for the Jersey Journal newspaper, which had its headquarters here.

K Streets

Kennedy Boulevard

  • Named in honor of our very own President John F. Kennedy.

Kearney Avenue

  • Likely named after Philip Kearney, a Union Army general during the Civil War.

L Streets

Liberty Avenue

  • Named to celebrate American liberty and independence.

Lafayette Street

  • Named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and honored military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

Lewis Avenue

  • Possibly named after a prominent local family or early settler.

M Streets

Montgomery Street

  • Likely named after Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general.

Monmouth Street

  • Named after Monmouth County in New Jersey, reflecting the connection between different parts of the state.

N Streets

Newark Avenue

  • Named for the nearby city of Newark, highlighting its role as a major transportation route.

Neptune Avenue

  • Named after the interesting Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, reflecting Jersey City’s maritime history.

P Streets

Pavonia Avenue

  • Named after the Pavonia colony, an early Dutch settlement in the area.

Pershing Field

  • Named in honor of the honored General John J. Pershing, a decorated and senior United States Army officer who fought during World War I.

S Streets

Summit Avenue

  • Reflects the topography of the area, which includes elevated regions.

Sip Avenue

  • Named after Michael Cornelius Sip, an early settler whose farm occupied this area.

T Streets

Tonnele Avenue

  • Named after John Tonnele, an early resident and businessman in Jersey City.

V Streets

Van Vorst Street

  • Named after the Van Vorst family, one of the earliest European families to settle in Jersey City.

W Streets

Washington Street

  • Named after George Washington, the first President of the United States.

West Side Avenue

  • Named for its location on the western side of Jersey City.

Y Streets

York Street

  • Reflects the English influence, likely named after York in England.

Z Streets

Zabriskie Street

  • Named after the Zabriskie family, early settlers and prominent figures in the area.

This expanded list provides a more comprehensive look at the diverse and historical nature of Jersey City’s street names, reflecting the city’s rich cultural heritage and significant historical figures.

Exploring these streets has helped me feel more connected to my new home and deepened my appreciation for the city’s unique past. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, I hope this guide enhances your understanding and enjoyment of Jersey City’s rich history.

For those interested in learning more and getting even deeper into the history of Jersey City, resources like the Jersey City Past and Present project by New Jersey City University and local historical societies are excellent places to continue your exploration.