This street was named in honour of Horatio Nelson who "is generally regarded as the greatest officer in the history of the Royal Navy. His reputation is based on a series of remarkable victories, culminating in the Battle of Trafalgar [21 October 1805] where he was killed in his moment of triumph" (Royal Navy website).
Nelson Street is first mentioned on Mason's town plan in 1815 (IHTA). The northern half consists of two parallel parts: the slip-road off the M2, which continues onto the Westlink; and, beside it, the original line of the street connecting the docks area with Great Patrick Street in the city centre.