Probably from Kenbaan, a historical spelling variant of Kinbane or White Head, a promontory on the Causeway Coast situated 4 km NW of Ballycastle. It is an anglicisation of Ir. An Cionn Bán, 'the white headland'. This headland is located in the townland of Cregganboy and is the site of the ruined Kinbane Castle. It should be noted that Whitehead on Belfast Lough is another occurrence of the same name, so a connection with this place must also be considered.
Kenbaan Street is first recorded in council minutes in 1890, and again in 1893. It still exists, but is considerably truncated and has no properties on it. See also Kenbaan Court and Kinbane Way in Finaghy.