The name 'Imade-gawa' originates from a tributary of the Kamo-gawa River called the Imade-gawa River, which ran from Higashi-no-Toin-dori Street to Higashikyogoku-oji Street (the present-day Teramachi-dori Street).
「今出川」の名前は鴨川分流の今出川が東洞院通から東京極大路（現在の寺町通）まで通りに沿って流れていたことに由来する。