It is likely that Clara Way was named after Clara Holland, daughter of Joseph Holland of Holland House. Like Clara Park, Clara Road and the various streets named Clarawood, this street is located close to the former site of Holland House. According to Ros Davies, Joseph Holland was a stonemason, artist, antique dealer, landlord and landowner of 800 acres of East Belfast. He died in 1900 in Cherryville Cottage, Sandown Rd. Clara died aged 18 in 1899 and is buried in Belfast City Cemetery.
“With reference to minute of the Housing (Clearance and Redevelopment) Committee of 27th April and 8th June last the Committee, on the City Surveyor’s recommendation, approved of the names Clara Way and Clarawood Walk for new streets at Clara Park Estate and of the change of street name of an existing street in the estate from Clarawood Walk to Clara Way (continuation of)”. Minutes, Improvement Committee, 16th August, 1966.