Matisse is a masculine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French word "matis," which means "marsh" or "marshy ground." The name Matisse is believed to have been first used as a given name in the late 19th century, likely inspired by the French painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954), who was known for his bold use of color and expressive forms.
The name Matisse has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in France and other French-speaking countries. In France, it has been one of the top 20 most popular boys' names since 2007. The name is also used in English-speaking countries, although to a lesser extent.
Aside from its association with the famous artist, Matisse has no specific meaning or symbolism attached to it. It is simply a name that has been given to boys for generations due to its pleasing sound and French origin. Today, Matisse remains a unique and attractive choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their sons.
The name Matisse has seen a varied trend in popularity over the past three decades in the United States. Between 1994 and 2023, there have been a total of 321 babies named Matisse.
The name's peak popularity was reached relatively recently, with 28 births recorded in 2021, followed by another high of 26 births each in both 2022 and 2023. This suggests that the name Matisse has been gaining traction as a popular choice among parents in recent years.
Before this recent surge in popularity, the number of babies named Matisse fluctuated somewhat annually. There were periods where the number of births was relatively stable, such as between 1999 and 2003, with an average of around 8 births per year during that time frame. However, there were also years with notably lower or higher numbers of births, such as the single-digit numbers seen in 1994, 2009, 2013, and 2016.
Despite these fluctuations, it is clear that Matisse has maintained a consistent presence among baby names in the United States. As we look forward to future years, it will be interesting to see if this trend continues or if there are further shifts in popularity for the name Matisse.