Named after Jerusalem, major city of Israel, considered a holy city to three faiths.
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 the owner Mr James Rea a new street on his property situate off Rugby Avenue and Agincourt Avenue be named Jerusalem Street”. (19th October 1892).
"Application of the owner: Mr Thomas Rea four new streets property situate off Agincourt Avenue: Carmel Street, Palestine Street, Jerusalem Street, Damascus Street." Minutes, Town Improvement Committee, 24th August, 1898 - these streets being continuations of streets already thus named.