Named after the porte des Lilas, the gate leading to the town of Les Lilas.
Serge Gainsbourg's song Le Poinçonneur des Lilas (The ticket puncher of Les Lilas) is set here. Next to the station is a disused platform, nicknamed Porte des Lilas – Cinéma, used since 1979 to shoot films and advertisements. The station opened in 1921.