The name Chembur is probably derived from the word “Chimboree” which means "Large Crab" in Marathi.

Before reclamation, Chembur lay on the North-Western corner of Trombay Island.
It is suggested that Chembur is the same place referred to as Saimur by the Arab writers (915-1137), Sibor in Kosmas Indikopleustes (535),
Chemula in the Kanheri cave inscriptions (300-500),Symulla by the author of the Periplus of the Erythraean sea (247),
Symulla or Timulla by Ptolemy (150),and perhaps even Perimula by Pliny.

Chembur has several open public spaces like Gandhi Maidan, Subhash Nagar Maidan, Annabhau Sathe Garden, Diamond Garden, Ambedkar Udyan, Sandu Garden, Tilak Nagar grounds (Sahyadri & Municipal Ground) and Jawahar Grounds where people meet up and conduct sports events and activities. These are also sites of recreational activity in the morning.

Bombay Presidency Golf Club at Dr Choitram Gidwani Road in Chembur(East) is one of the most prominent golf clubs in Mumbai, which also provides the biggest green cover for this neighbourhood. Chembur has various recreational clubs along with several Gymkhanas.
Chembur also has several fitness centres and gyms,Municipal Swimming Pools,libraries etc. Some grounds have also added jogging tracks around them for people to exercise.