Napoleone Bonaparte really was the reason for the name of the quarter, but it is an indirect reason because it is in this area that the Monte dei Pegni ("Pawn Bank") was found. Its name was changed to Monte Napoleone in his honor in 1804. 

In 1797, Napoleon chose Milan to be the capital of the Cisalpine Republic. Later, under his empire (1805-1814), it was the capital of the Italic Kingdom.