In the map of 1822, this street which later became known as Adelaide Street was called Stephen Street. Adelaide Place appears in the 1831-1832 Belfast Directory. Adelaide Street features in an advertisement in the Belfast News-Letter on Tuesday 16 May 1843.
It is surmised this street is named in honour of Queen Adelaide (1792–1849), the consort of King William IV (reigned 1830–37), as is the case with the city of Adelaide in South Australia. Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen was born in 1818. Queen Adelaide died in 1849, while William died in 1837. They had no children and consequently William was succeeded by his niece Victoria.