In 1837 George Langhorne named the area Pur-ra-ran, a compound of two aboriginal words, meaning “land partially surrounded by water”. When he informed the Surveyor-General Robert Hoddle of the name, it was written as “Prahran”.

Prahran features many small gardens scattered throughout the suburb, which are largely hidden. The former Greville Botanical Gardens, now “Grattan Gardens”, are off Greville Street, on Grattan Street. Subdivisions have caused incursions to what is now a narrow strip, with a playground and heritage pavilion. The Princes Gardens are a small garden, which features the “Chapel Off Chapel”, an old church converted into a theatre, as well as the Prahran skate park, home to the best vert skateboarding facilities in Victoria. Victoria Gardens, off High Street, is a Victorian era garden, with a main space consisting of a circular row of London plane trees and an angel statue. The Orrong Romanis Park is the largest park in Prahran.