York Way was named Mayde Lane (1467) and Maiden Lane (1735) (commemorated in the Maiden Lane Estate, Maiden Lane Bridge - over the Regent's Canal and the former Maiden Lane railway station), it became York Road in the 19th century, and the current name was only adopted in 1938.
The evolution of York Way's name reflects its changing location, from Mayde Lane to Maiden Lane, then to York Road, and finally settling on the current name in 1938.