This name was given c. 1830, although the street itself existed long before and was previously known as Carrick Road, Carrickfergus Street, etc. It was the main northbound coach road. Numerous Belfast streets and landmarks were named after royalty, particularly Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, such as Victoria Street, Victoria Square (and nine other names in Victoria); Albert Square, Albertbridge Road, the Albert Memorial Clock (1869, IHTA xvii, 79), Albert Street, Albert Court and Albert Drive. Many of these commemorative names relating to the monarchy (as well those relating to the Chichester family) are in the urban core which first developed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Nicolaisen comments on a similar group of street-names in Edinburgh “New Town”, built in the late 18th century, the most famous of which is Princes Street (1767). He mentions Queen Street, Frederick Street, Charlotte Street and Hanover Street, which have namesakes in Belfast. He attributes this enthusiasm for royal names to a fashion copied from Paris to various other capitals and cities in Europe (Nicolaisen 2001, 64).
The queen referred to in the name North Queen Street may have been Adelaide who was Queen Consort of William IV from 1830 to 1837. There is also a Queen Street in the city centre, named in 1808 (IHTA xii, 18), but North Queen Street was not at any date a northern extension of that street. The word "North" was added to the name in order to distinguish the two streets.
York Street / Lane, North Queen Street, Great George’s Street and Frederick Street all fit into a theme of Hanoverian royalty on the northern fringe of Belfast’s city centre.
The 1839 edition of Martin’s Belfast Directory lists people living here. This street features in the 1843 Belfast Directory and includes a reference to Adam J. Macrory, solicitor, Duncairn.
"The City Surveyor recommended that consequent upon the construction of a new street joining North Queen Street with New North Queen Street, the entire thoroughfare should be known as North Queen Street. Approved." (29th April 1930)
"The Assistant Surveyor submitted memorial signed by 30 residents in the street formerly named New North Queen Street, protesting against the change in the name of that thoroughfare to North Queen Street. In view of the fact that the two streets were recently joined up to form one continuous thoroughfare, the Committee could not see their way to take action on the memorial". ( 5th August 1930).