According to Uji-shui monogatari (Uji-shui stories), its initial name in the Heian period, Gusoku-koji Street, was corrupted into Kuso-koji Street, and then, at imperial command, it was named Nishikikoji after Ayanokoji-dori Street, which is the next street southward across Shijo-dori Street.
宇治拾遺物語の記述によると、平安時代は具足小路と呼ばれ、その後なまって、糞小路となり、勅命で四条通をはさんで南隣の綾小路通にちなんで錦小路に改められたという。