Since Sheng county formerly belonged to Shao-hsing prefecture, this type of opera is also known as Shaohsing drama. The official term derives from fact that Shaohsing was also the ancient state of Yueh.
嵊縣舊轄屬紹興，故俗稱為「紹興戲」；又紹興古稱為越國，因此以「越劇」正式命名。