Boon Keng Road was named in 1929 after Dr. Lim Boon Keng, a prominent medical doctor and philanthropist. In 1964, the swamplands around the Kallang River were reclaimed and opened up for new developments such as housing and industries.
The new housing estate, as well as the general area, including the new extension of Upper Boon Keng Road which connected the newly-opened industrial estate in the Kallang area, were all named after Lim Boon Keng.
Dr. Lim was heavily involved in social, charitable and educational causes. He started hospitals and also raised funds for the new Amoy University (founded 1921) in Fujian, China and was its vice-chancellor from 1921-1937. Amoy University was the first Chinese University to be founded by the overseas Chinese led by Tan Kah Kee. In addition, he was a founding member of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
As a leading member of the Chinese community, Dr. Lim was arrested during the Japanese Occupation. He reluctantly formed the Overseas Chinese Association in exchange for the release of prominent Chinese leaders. Although it was meant to be a peace maintenance committee to protect the Chinese community, it was instead used by the Japanese to intimidate the Chinese community and extract their wealth in the form of a loan of $50m Straits dollars.