The town hall complex subcommittee was to choose new names for three of the 11 rooms in the complex yesterday.
However, after some discussion, it was decided the committee should investigate the commercial potential of seven of the rooms.
The Clifford Skeggs Gallery, the Edinburgh Room and the Council Chamber would retain their names, and the former City Property Office - which is now a conference room - will become the Shanghai Room.
A Dunedin City Council report recommended the Glenroy Auditorium, Dunottar Lounge, Chesters Lounge, Maldon Lounge and the Fullwood Room also retain their names.
But subcommittee chairman Cr Syd Brown, Cr Chris Staynes, Mayor Dave Cull, chief executive Paul Orders, city property manager Robert Clark, Darren Burden, of Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, and David Booth, of Octa Associates Ltd, decided to explore the commercial potential and impact of giving naming rights to Dunedin businesses.
The former Hungry Frenchman Restaurant (a new extension to the Glenroy foyer) and the Fullwood Terrace (a new outdoor function area on the roof of the Dunedin Centre) would also be included in the investigation.
"If there is a revenue option there, we would be foolish not to explore it," Mr Burden said.
Local rununga would also be notified and given an opportunity to suggest names.
Once an indication of interest in naming rights had been gathered, the information would be presented to the subcommittee, and the names would be considered along with others recommended by council policy analyst Tami Sargeant.
Names to be considered included Dunedin's sister cities, past mayors, Maori names and the city's heritage features.
Work on the renovation of the Municipal Chambers was completed earlier this year and is part of a wider $45.8 million Dunedin Centre and town hall upgrade.
The rest of the work on those buildings was on track for completion on December 15 next year, and for operation in February 2013.
