Its original name in Chinese was 公眾四方街 (Kung Chong Sze Fong Kai in Cantonese), a mistranslation that resulted from the word square being misinterpreted as a geometric shape.

The more accurate translation of 眾坊街 (Chung Fong Kai in Cantonese language) was adopted in 1976.

[citation needed] The Tin Hau Temple Complex, a school and a community office were built in Public Square Street at the end of the 19th century by the leaders of the Yau Ma Ti Kaifong.

[3] The public square in the street's name refers to Yung Shue Tau (榕樹頭), a gathering place in front of the Tin Hau Temple in Yau Ma Tei.

Apart from the landmarks of Yung Shue Tau and Tin Hau Temple, there are also the night market of Temple Street, historical Yau Ma Tei Police Station, and Broadway Cinematheque.