Origins of Katong’s name

The name Katong is believed to come from the Javanese name of the leather-back turtle. In alternate accounts from the NParks, it is also believed to have been derived from the “Katong Laut” tree, a native coastal species – cynometra ramiflora (https://www.facebook.com/nparksbuzz/posts/trees-streetsdo-you-know-where-katong-got-its-name-from-the-native-katong-laut-t/966254610080682/).

In the early days, Katong was a seaside retreat for the wealthy, dotted with grand bungalows and coconut plantations. Its proximity to the shore made it a favourite escape from the bustle of the city, and over time, it became a melting pot of cultures—Peranakan, Eurasian, and Malay—all leaving their mark on its identity.