The settlement was initially known as Sidney or Sydney Bay, and by 1796 was being called the Town of Sydney, in honour of Viscount Sydney, British Home Secretary and patron of the First Fleet.
O asentamento foi inicialmente coñecido como Sidney ou Sydney Bay, e por 1796 era chamada "cidade de Sydney", en honor do vizconde Sydney, ministro do Interior británico e patrón da Primeira Frota.