The name Willowbank features in the OSNI Historical First Edition (1832 -1846) map. In the 1863-1864 BPUD the name Patrick Kinnear occurs - he is described as a linen yarn merchant and living at Willow Bank, Antrim Road. The surmise is that the street name comes from this property.
Dean refers to Willowbank Cottage pre 1832 which was according to him direclty opposite the old entrance and lodge to Beechmount porter's accommodation built by Sharman Moore.
The minutes of the Town Improvement Committee of Belfast Corporation on 23 May 1894 indicate the naming of Marsden Street and Willowbank Gardens off the Cavehill Road.
"Submitted memorial from the property owners and residents in Willowbank Street requesting that the name of the street be changed to Willowbank Gardens. Resolved – That although the areas on each side of the street are not 15 feet wide as required by the Committee’s previous resolution on the subject, and as the adjoining streets which were laid out previous to the passing of the resolution referred to were styled “Gardens”, the application be granted under the circumstances". (4th November 1924)