Although some say the name Oike originates from a nearby pond of Shinsenen, a topography titled 'Kyo Suzume' (Kyoto sparrow) published in 1665 says, 'This Sanjo Bomondono street is called Hachimancho-dori in the east, …Oike-dori in the west, as there was Oikecho at Muromachi on this street; long ago the Imperial Palace Kamoidono (palace of ducks) was there, and it had the pond with ducks; this place is supposed to be.'
神泉苑の傍を通るため、この名前になったというが、江戸時代初期の1665年（寛文5年）発行の地誌「京雀」には「【三条坊門通】この筋を東にては八幡町通と云、…、西にては御池通と云、此筋室町に御池町あり、むかし鴨居殿とて御所あり、鴨の下居池の井ありける跡也とかや」とある。