They were originally called Shoen Gikyoku Jisshu, but later they were given the present name derived from 'Kyoka,' Sadanji the second's Haimyo (the term originally refers to a pen name as a haiku poet, but it also refers to a kabuki actor's offstage name which can be used officially and privately).
当初は松莚戯曲十種（しょうえんぎきょくじっしゅ）といったが、後に二代目左團次の俳名である「杏花」に拠って現行の名称になった。