The developers, however, had not sought official permission to use that name, and in November 1983 the authorities objected, explaining that "Marina Centre" was meant to refer to the entire district rather than a single complex.

Consequently, the developers were asked to submit alternative names to the advisory committee that decides street and building names; after considering options such as Marina Esplanade and Hai Bin Square, the committee voted on 25 November 1983 to rename the project "Marina Square".

The new designation still required formal approval from the Finance Ministry, and once that endorsement was granted the name quickly caught on in the media and has remained the public identity of the mall and its hotels ever since.

The episode demonstrates how Singapore’s naming regulations can influence a landmark’s brand, turning a routine naming choice into a matter of public policy.