The school has existed under various names, including Ladugårdslands lägre elementarläroverk (from 1857), and Högre allmänna läroverket å Östermalm between 1903-1906 and 1926–1971.

In the time period 1906-1926 the name was Högre realläroverket å Östermalm, with the short form of Östra Real.

The school has figured in popular culture, being referenced in books by Peter Mosskin, Per Wästberg, Kar de Mumma and Gustav Öberg.

It is part of one of Sweden's largest student union events Läroverksfejden, an academic and sports competition between Södra Latin, Kungsholmens Gymnasium and Norra Real.

The student union at Östra Real is characterised by a coat of arms, with the letters 'Ö' and 'R' as well as two lions as the charges in the escutcheon.