It was originally the name in Kamigata (Kyoto and Osaka region) that derived from the haimyo (also known as haimei, a kabuki actor's offstage name which can be used officially and privately) of the third Utaemon NAKAMURA, and was often used after Fukusuke TAKASAGOYA (refer to the article of Fukusuke TAKASAGOYA).
元来は三代目中村歌右衛門の俳名に由来する上方の名跡であり、高砂屋福助の後に襲名することが多かった（高砂屋福助の項参照）。