Named after Glanleam, a townland on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry. Glanleam Drive is part of a group of streets off Antrim Road with names beginning in Glan-. See also Glandore Avenue / Drive / Gardens / Parade, Glantane Drive, Glantrasna 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'.
“That Mr. W. H. McLaughlin of York Road be informed in reply to his application of 9th inst., that the Committee approve of the names ‘Glandore Avenue’, ‘Glanleam Street’, and ‘Glantrasna Street’ for his 3 new streets off Antrim Road and Skegoniel Avenue, but request him to submit another name in lieu of Glandoran Street". (10th October 1894).
"Submitted application dated 4th inst., from Messrs A.E. Savage & Co., Donegall Street, to have the name of Glanleam Street changed to Glanleam Drive". (14th August 1923).