 Through the centuries Egem has had multiple names.In the oldest documents it was found to be named Heddeghem (1571), later it was also mentioned as Edeghem (1629), Hettegem (1638), Eedegem (1763), Eghem (1779) and Eegem (1842).Etymologically, Flemish toponyms ending with –"gem" refer to a Germanic compound of –"haim", meaning ‘home’ or ‘residence’, and a derivative ending –"inga".