Named from its proximity to Glandore Avenue, which see. Glandore Gardens, along with Glandore Avenue / Drive / Parade, is part of a group of streets off Antrim Road with names beginning in Glan-. See also Glantrasna Drive, Glanleam Drive, Glantane Drive and Glanworth Drive / Gardens. All of these are place-names in the province of Munster, but beyond this they have little in common. Glan- is usually an anglicisation of the Irish word gleann, 'valley'. However, the Irish name of Glandore is Cuan Dor, in which cuan means 'harbour'. The meaning of Dor is unknown.
“That on the application of the owner Mr W. H. McLaughlin four new streets on his property situate off Antrim Road and Skegoneill Avenue be named: ‘Glanworth Street’, ‘Glandore Street’, ‘Glanmore Street’ and ‘Glandore Gardens’.” (21st February 1894).