When people ask, "What is the old name of Bangalore South?", they are usually looking for one of two things: the recent administrative name change of the surrounding district or the historical names of the famous neighborhoods that make up the southern part of the city.

In a major administrative move on May 23, 2025, the Karnataka government officially renamed the Ramanagara District to Bengaluru South District. This change was made to align the high-growth southern outskirts with the prestige and global brand of Bangalore. However, if you look deeper into history, the individual places within South Bangalore have ancient names that date back hundreds of years.

1. The District Level: From Ramanagara to Bengaluru South

Before the 2025-2026 renaming, the outer part of what we now call Bangalore South was known as Ramanagara.

• Ramanagara History: This area was famously called Closepet during the British era, named after Sir Barry Close.
• The Name "Ramanagara": It was later renamed Ramanagara after the Ramagiri hills, which became world-famous as the shooting location for the movie Sholay.
• 2026 Status: Today, as the Bengaluru South District, it includes key growth hubs like Kanakapura, Magadi, and the areas surrounding the NICE Road.

2. Historical Names of South Bangalore Neighborhoods

Long before modern developers arrived, the iconic suburbs of South Bangalore were small villages with very different names:

• Basavanagudi: Before it became the city's cultural heart, parts of it were an agricultural village called Sunkenahally. It was renamed Basavanagudi after the famous Bull Temple (Basavana Gudi) was built.
• Jayanagar: Established in 1948, it was named after the Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar. Before the layout was built, the land consisted of small villages like Siddapura, Marenahalli, and Yediyur.
• JP Nagar: This area was largely developed over the historical village of Sarakki, a name still used for the famous Sarakki Signal and market today.
• Arekere: This name comes from the Kannada words Are (half) and Kere (tank), referring to a water reservoir that existed in the village centuries ago.

3. Modern Landmarks: Godrej Vanantara

As South Bangalore expands, new landmarks are being built on this historical land. Godrej Properties has been a major part of this transformation, preserving the "Green South" heritage while building modern homes.

A prime example in 2026 is Godrej Vanantara, located off Bannerghatta Road.

• A New Legacy: While it sits in the newly renamed Bengaluru South district, Godrej Vanantara pays homage to the region's green history.
• Forest Living: It is a 36-acre forest-themed township with 40,000 trees. By building projects like Godrej Vanantara, the developer is ensuring that the "old name" of South Bangalore as the city’s "Garden Zone" remains true even in the future.

4. Why Names Matter in Real Estate

In 2026, the transition from Ramanagara to Bengaluru South District has caused property prices to soar. Investors know that a "Bangalore" address carries more value than a rural one. This is why projects near the boundary, such as those along the NICE Road junction, have seen a 15-20% appreciation since the renaming.