--- title: "Original name for Sesame Street revealed as 123 Avenue B" url: https://newscentral.site/original-name-for-sesame-street-revealed-as-123-avenue/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Lifestyle" published: 2026-11-10T17:00:01.000Z updated: 2026-11-10T19:29:03.775Z id: 35f0efb3-d1b8-4e42-9129-2a31268d28df source: "Mental Floss https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/tv/original-name-sesame-street-wasn-t-as-catchy?utm_source=RSS" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/original-name-for-sesame-street-revealed-as-123-avenue/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Original name for Sesame Street revealed as 123 Avenue B The original title was one of several options being considered by co-creators Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett before the program's launch on November 10, 1969. The original name for Sesame Street has been revealed as 123 Avenue B, a title that may not have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. This was one of several options being considered by co-creators Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett before the program's launch on November 10, 1969. The creators were working closely with their team to find a suitable name for the show, which aimed to educate young children through entertaining content. The original title 123 Avenue B was meant to connect the series to New York City, drawing inspiration from its diverse population in terms of design, character representation, and understanding of the world. However, this name was ultimately deemed too straightforward because it actually corresponds to an existing street in Alphabet City, located near the East Village in Lower Manhattan. The creators likely wanted a more creative title that would reflect the show's unique identity without being too on-the-nose. Despite its shortcomings, 123 Avenue B does have a certain charm and is fun to say out loud. It is interesting to speculate what could have been if this name had been chosen instead of Sesame Street, which has become an iconic brand around the world. The show's creators ultimately settled on a title that would go on to become synonymous with children's education and entertainment. But it is fascinating to look back at the original options and consider how different the course of history might have been if 123 Avenue B had been chosen as the name for this beloved program. The creators of the iconic children's program had initially considered setting it in Alphabet City, a neighborhood known for its associations with letters and numbers. However, this idea was eventually abandoned in favor of something more distinctive. The name "Sesame Street has its roots in the famous phrase open sesame, which comes from Antoine Galland's translation of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. This phrase is a key part of the classic tale from One Thousand and One Nights, where it is used to gain access to a hidden treasure trove. The word sesame was chosen by the creators because they wanted it to evoke a sense of excitement and discovery. According to Sesame Workshop, Sesame Street is meant to be a place where kids can find all sorts of interesting and educational content. In choosing this name, the producers were inspired by the idea that the show would be a treasure trove of learning opportunities for children. The word sesame was seen as a way to convey the sense of wonder and enchantment that they wanted to create on the program. The name has since become synonymous with high-quality educational programming, and it's easy to see why it was chosen in the first place. With its emphasis on learning through play, Sesame Street has captured the imaginations of children around the world. The idea for a television program that could educate children was first explored 60 years ago in 1966 by Joan Cooney, who worked as a documentarian at WNET THIRTEEN, the local PBS station. Cooney's study, The Potential Uses of Television in Preschool Education, was supported by Morrisett, vice president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. This three-month investigation involved interviewing experts in early learning and children's television producers to answer a crucial question: whether TV could educate young minds. The potential of television as an educational tool became the foundation for Sesame Street and the Children's Television Workshop, now known as the Sesame Workshop. Cooney's research laid the groundwork for a series that would revolutionize children's programming by combining education and entertainment. Sesame Street was pioneering in its approach to preschool education, blending learning with play, imagination, and storytelling. Young viewers developed essential skills through engaging activities like alphabet practice and counting exercises. The show also tackled broader subjects such as health, science, art, music, and dance, providing a comprehensive educational experience for children. By incorporating these various topics, Sesame Street helped parents nurture their child's social skills and emotional intelligence. By combining education with entertainment, Sesame Street provided a unique platform for young learners to expand their knowledge and reasoning abilities while developing essential literacy skills through engaging storytelling and play-based activities. The show's creators wanted to ensure that its content was relevant and engaging for children from diverse backgrounds. As a result, Sesame Street has consistently incorporated multicultural elements into its programming since its debut in 1969. This approach has allowed the show to reach a broad audience worldwide, with over 300 PBS stations carrying it and making it accessible on platforms like Netflix and YouTube. The show's global reach is staggering, with hundreds of millions of children across more than 140 countries tuning in each year. In addition to its widespread popularity, Sesame Street has also expanded its scope through partnerships that produce locally relevant content for specific regions. These co-productions take into account the unique cultural, linguistic, and educational needs of their respective audiences. The iconic address of 123 Sesame Street has been officially bestowed upon the beloved children's television series by New York City's Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2019. This recognition marked a significant milestone in the show's history, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the official Sesame Street is situated at the intersection of Central Park West and Broadway, on the block of West 63rd Street. Visitors can take a photo beneath the sign, creating a memorable moment for fans of all ages. The address has become an integral part of Sesame Street's charm, allowing viewers to imagine themselves walking alongside their favorite characters in Alphabet City. Interestingly, while the show itself is filmed at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, this designated address provides a tangible connection to the series' New York roots. Tourists and locals alike can easily access Sesame Street by subway, just as they do in the program. This convenient transportation option allows visitors to immerse themselves in the world of Sesame Street, making it an exciting destination for families and fans. As a result of this official recognition, the designated address has become a popular spot for photo opportunities, allowing fans to capture memories of their visit to 123 Sesame Street. In recognition of its 50th anniversary, Mayor Bill de Blasio officially designated an address on the Lower East Side as 123 Sesame Street" in 2019. This move allowed fans to finally pinpoint the exact location of the iconic street from their favorite children's show. The designation has also made it easier for visitors to find the spot, just like navigating the streets in the program itself. --- Source: [Mental Floss](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/tv/original-name-sesame-street-wasn-t-as-catchy?utm_source=RSS) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/original-name-for-sesame-street-revealed-as-123-avenue/