Cairo, founded in AD 969, is the capital of Egypt. The Arabic version of this name can be transliterated as Al-Qahirah , meaning "The Vanquisher" or "The Triumphant". Although this is the official name of the city, it is also commonly known in Egyptian Arabic as Masr, a name which also denotes the country of Egypt as a whole.
The motivation for the street-name is explained by Marshall as follows: "Holy Land: About 1890 Sir Robert J. McConnell, estate agent, and James Rea, a builder of small house property, went together on a trip to Egypt and Palestine. Upon their return James Rea commenced building on a still unoccupied portion of the Plains. With his Oriental tour fresh in mind he named some of the streets after places he had visited, viz. Carmel Street, Cairo Street, Damascus Street, Jerusalem Street, and Palestine Street." (John J. Marshall, Belfast Telegraph, 24/01/1941).
"That on the application of Mr. James Rea, a new street on his property situate off Agincourt Avenue, be named Cairo Street". (14th October 1891)