‘Gesundbrunnen’ means ‘health spring’, after a mineral spring found here.
An iron-rich spring was first mentioned in 1748. In 1751 the court apothecary Wilhelm Behm had its water examined by the chemist Andreas Sigismund Marggraf, who confirmed a healing effect, and obtained a royal privilege to open a spa. After its royal patron, Friedrich II, the place was at first called Friedrichs-Gesundbrunnen. Long-time locals still call the area ‘Plumpe’, Berlin slang for a water pump.