Bamboo clumps or Tekka in Hokkien once grew abundantly on the banks of Rochor Canal. So when a market was built here in 1915, people named the market after this plant. The market was originally located across the street between Hastings Road and Sungei Road. It was torn down in 1982 and relocated across the street to its present site. It was renamed ZhuJiao Market.
Residents however felt strongly about the old name and felt that Tekka reflected the history of the place. In November 2000, the market was renamed as Tekka Market.
The Tekka Market continues to be a landmark in Little India, where different ethnic communities come to shop.