Kyogoku literally means the edge of Kyo (capital) and Higasikyogoku-oji Street was laid out along the eastern edge and Nishikyogoku-oji Street was placed along the western edge in Heiankyo.
京極は文字通り京の端を意味し、平安京においては、東端に東京極大路、西端に西京極大路が配された。