 In 1608, it was referred to as "Trappegrenden" ("The Stairs Alley"), but a map dated 1733 calls it "Trotz gr[änd]", a name which, using various alternative spellings, was to remain the name used, save for an attempt in the late-18th century to inexplicably rename it "Kungsgränden" ("The Kings Alley").The alley was closed off in the mid-19th century, not to be reopened until 1945.Its present name was officially sanctioned by the city in 1949.