Named after Herat, the third-largest city of Afghanistan, situated in the western part of the country.
“Our adventures in Afghanistan, on India's northern frontier, gave us Cabul Street [now Manor Street]. Candahar Street preserves the memory of General Roberts's famous march from Cabul to Kandahar in 1880. Herat Street is also drawn from the Afghan wars”. "Empire Battle Memories" John J Marshall, Belfast Telegraph - Friday 07 March 1941.
Herat Street is part of a group of streets off Ormeau Road with names related to the Indian sub-continent, popularly known as 'the Punjab'. See also Agra Street, Baroda Drive / Parade / Street, Burmah Street, Candahar Street, Delhi Street / Parade and Ava Street (UPNS street names project; Tempan 2024, p. 123).
The minutes of the Town Improvement Committee of Belfast Corporation on 25 April 1894 indicate the naming of five new streets off Ormeau Road: Delhi, Candahar, Golconda, Herat and Elgin streets.