Brenda Riddick, secretary of the St John's History Group in Waterloo, said: "Everybody here was quite happy to celebrate the Battle of Waterloo centenary and there were annual dinners at the Royal Hotel which had quite a following with many people dressing in historical costume.
"It is something that happened in history. To suggest Waterloo change its name is a bit pedantic."
Bob Wareing, Labour councillor for Waterloo, said: "It's nonsense, you can't rewrite history. I am proud of the fact I live in Waterloo and I have never heard anyone say its name should be changed.
"French visitors have been here and no one has been offended by something that happened 200 years ago.
"They are interested in the history."
A European Commission spokesman was also unimpressed.
He said: "Who is this man? "The idea that these suggestions would be taken up as EU proposals is utter rubbish.
"We don't have the power to tell anybody to change their place names nor should we."
In the past, French politicians and some Euro MPs have suggested that Waterloo station is not the most tactful name to some people's sensibilities, but there has never been a serious proposal to change the name - or any other place names in the country which reflect past conflicts and victories.
Mr Carpenter has worked for the European Investment Bank for nearly 30 years and has a French wife.
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