"Tomobayashi" was named after the Tomohayashinouji-jinja Shrine (which enshrines deities including Takamimusubi no kami, Amenooshihi no mikoto, and Michinoomi no mikoto. It also enshrines soshin [ancestor honored as god] of the Otomo clan).
伴林の名は、生家近くの伴林氏神社（祭神：高御産巣日神、天忍日命、道臣命。大伴氏の祖神を祀る）にちなむ。