 The neighbourhood includes a number of Malay and Indian villages, some of which have a history dating back to the 18th century.The neighbourhood of Sungai Pinang was named after the Pinang River, which, in turn, is named after the "Pinang" palm, scientifically known as "areca catechu".The Malay and Indian villages along the Pinang River date back to the 18th century, possibly predating Captain Francis Light's arrival on Penang Island in 1786.