This street gets it name owing to the “connection with the Harbour extensions and improvements in 1854-55. It was named after Valentine Whitla, chairman of the Harbour Board, 1847-53” (John J. Marshall, Belfast Telegraph, 24/02/41). Whitla was also a linen merchant. He lived at Ben Eadan, built for him in 1849. See Ben Eden Avenue, etc. Despite the rarity of the name, he was not closely related to William Whitla, the renowned physician.