In 1948, Grandview Heights in northeast Vancouver was developed as a sub-division to provide low rental housing for Veterans after the Second World War. Initially the streets were to be named after wildlife, but this was changed and the streets were named after personalities, battles and events from the two World Wars. The Chair of the Street Naming Sub-Committee was Alderman Halford Hal Wilson, who served as a Major during the Second World War.

Haida Drive was named on March 23, 1948, in honour of the HMCS Haida and her crews who served during the Second World War. HMCS Haida sank more enemy vessels than any other Canadian ship during the Second World War.