Named after Ernst-Reuter-Platz, which honours the Berlin mayor Ernst Reuter.
Ernst Reuter (1889–1953) became a symbol of Western resistance during the Berlin Blockade of 1948–1949 and led the city until his death on 29 September 1953. In early October 1953 the square and the station, until then called Knie (‘knee’, after the bend in the road), were renamed after him. The East Berlin BVG kept the old name in its line maps or added the new one only in small letters.