You’re not crazy.
Every day, thousands of people search for “Time Square” instead of “Times Square.” You’ve probably done it yourself.
The confusion makes perfect sense. You see those massive digital clocks. The countdown to New Year’s. Everything about this place screams time.
But here’s what you need to know: It’s Times Square. With an ‘S’.
Not Time Square. Not Time’s Square. Times Square.
The Real Story Behind The Name
The spelling confusion disappears once you know the history.
Times Square got its name on April 8, 1904, when the area was renamed from Longacre Square. The reason? The New York Times moved their headquarters to a new building right in the heart of the action.
The newspaper was called “The New York Times.” Plural. Multiple times, multiple stories, multiple editions.
So when the city renamed the square, they called it Times Square. After the newspaper.
Publisher Adolph Ochs made it clear that “Times Square was named without any effort or suggestion on the part of the Times” – meaning it was the city’s decision, not corporate lobbying.
The connection to time itself? Pure coincidence.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Getting the spelling right signals something important to New Yorkers.
Tourist forums regularly highlight visitors who spell it wrong. One frustrated poster wrote: “There is no ‘Time Square;’ It’s TIMES Square.”
When you spell it correctly, you show you’ve done your homework.
When you spell it wrong, you immediately mark yourself as a tourist who doesn’t know the basics.
The Simple Memory Trick
Think newspaper, not clock.
The New York Times. Times Square. Same word, same spelling.
If you can remember that a newspaper has multiple stories (times), you’ll never forget the ‘S’ in Times Square.
What This Means For Your NYC Visit
Times Square handles serious volume. The Times Square-42nd Street station sees 54.3 million passengers annually, making it the busiest subway stop in the city.
When you’re navigating this chaos, getting the details right matters.
For directions: Ask for “Times Square” and you’ll get where you need to go. Ask for “Time Square” and you might get confused looks.
For photos: When you’re posting those tourist shots, the correct spelling shows you know what you’re talking about.
For planning: Search results are better when you use the right spelling. You’ll find more accurate information, better reviews, and current details.
The Bigger Picture
Times Square represents something specific in NYC culture.
The name connects to media, journalism, and the flow of information. The New York Times shaped how America got its news for over a century.
When you understand that connection, Times Square becomes more than just bright lights and chain restaurants. It becomes a place where information and entertainment intersect.
Other NYC Spelling Traps To Avoid
While we’re talking about getting it right, here are other common mistakes:
It’s “Greenwich Village” – not “Grenwich” or “Green-wich.” The ‘w’ is silent, but it’s there in the spelling.
It’s “Wall Street” – two words, not “Wallstreet.”
It’s “Central Park” – not “Central Parc” (unless you’re thinking of the French interpretation).
Making Your Times Square Experience Count
Now that you know the correct spelling, you can focus on what really matters during your visit.
The energy is intense. The crowds are thick. The sensory overload is real.
But you’ll navigate it with confidence, knowing you’ve got the fundamentals right.
Whether you’re catching a Broadway show, grabbing photos with the costumed characters, or just soaking in the chaos, you’ll do it as someone who understands the place.
The Bottom Line
Times Square. Two words. ‘S’ on the end of Times.
Named after a newspaper, not a concept.
Remember that, and you’ll never spell it wrong again.
The next time you see someone searching for “Time Square,” you’ll know exactly what they’re looking for. And you’ll know they’re missing that crucial ‘S’ that connects this crazy intersection to its newspaper roots.
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