It is said that the temple was named 'Sumi-dera' as it was located at the northeastern corner of the FUJIWARA no Fuhito residence (there are many documents which explain that 'it was because the temple was located at the northeastern corner of Heijo-kyo [the ancient capital of Japan in current Nara],' but this explanation seems to be unreasonable due to their locations).
「隅寺」とは、藤原不比等邸の東北の隅にあったことから付けられた名称と言われている（「平城京の東北隅にあったため」と解説する資料が多いが、位置関係から見て妥当とは思われない）。