How Damansara Get Its Name? Here Is What You Need To Know

Damansara is one of the 36 districts in the Petaling region in Selangor. According to City Population, Petaling has one of the highest populations in Malaysia, with 2,298,130 (as of 2020). It’s a well-known commercial hub after Kuala Lumpur and houses elite residentials.

However, do you know the story behind this prestigious and high-end district? Here are some of the important points you need to know!

How did Damansara get its name?

Surprisingly, the district originated from a place formerly known as Damar Sara. The name remained until the late 19th century when it changed to Damansara.

Picture: Skyscrapercity

There was a theory that Sabah, a beautiful state in Borneo, is named after a banana, pisang sabba. As for this district, it’s almost similar. But, this time, it’s because of a spelling mistake in the 1980s!

Sir William Maxwell (the British Resident of Selangor) implemented the Torrens system of land registration according to the Selangor Registration of Titles Regulations of 1891. He mistook it for Damar Sara!

After sorting out the confusion, Damar Sara is now Damansara!

What happened before 1974?

Before 1974, the district was a part of Klang. It covered areas like Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Bandar Sunway, Kelana Jaya, Kota Kemuning and some places in Putra Heights.

Then, these areas moved to the northern part of Petaling Jaya’s municipal area. It’s divided by Kelana Jaya in the south, Segambut in the east, and Kepong/Sungai Buloh in the north.

There are more than 25 neighbourhoods, roads and landmark buildings in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor using the name Damansara.

Damansara may have come from Indian words

Theoretically, in Hindustani, Daman means foothills. Sara could be a mansion of wealth or water in Sanskrit. Even though there’s no solid proof of this claim, it’s interesting to know!

Damansara Heights in the early 1970s

Picture: The Five

Wisma Damansara is the first building built in the 1970s by Selangor Properties. Then it was followed by the Damansara Office Complex on Jalan Dungun. After that, there were two-storey link houses built in 1972 named the Medan Damansara neighbourhood.

We’ve learned a bit about the history behind this district. Today I Learned!

Sources: Maxland, City Population

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Greta Thunberg Urges the World: “Focus on Gaza, Not Me”

On October 7, renowned Swedish activist Greta Thunberg arrived safely in Paris, France, following a… Read More

30 minutes ago

Skechers Brings The Heat To The Court With New Viper Court Collection & Pickleball Apparel

Pickleball is having a moment and Skechers just made it cooler. The Comfort Technology Company™… Read More

3 hours ago

Go Organic, Go Authentic, Alce Nero Turns Pasta Into a Feel-Good Lifestyle

Organic, but make it Italian. This September and October, Alce Nero wants Malaysians to celebrate… Read More

4 hours ago

foodpanda Wants Gig Workers to Thrive, Not Just Survive in 2026

Budget 2026 is shaping up to be a big one, especially for the gig economy.… Read More

4 hours ago

Malaysia Hosts the 39th ASEAN SOCA Meeting: Building a Stronger, More United Southeast Asia

Malaysia, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), proudly hosted the 39th Senior… Read More

4 hours ago

Genting Just Went Full Horror And It’s Giving Haunted Highlands Energy This October

The mist is rolling back into the mountains and this time, it’s haunted. From October… Read More

5 hours ago

This website uses cookies.