Matisse Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-TEES //mæˈtiːs//
Origin: French; Hebrew
Meaning: gift of God (Hebrew); derived from the surname of the artist Henri Matisse (French)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Matisse is derived from the French surname "Matis," which itself is a diminutive form of the name "Matthieu," the French equivalent of Matthew. The name Matthew has its roots in the Hebrew name "Mattityahu," meaning "gift of God." This name was translated into Greek as "Matthaios" and later into Latin as "Matthaeus," before evolving into its modern forms in various languages, including French.
The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which brought many French names into the English lexicon, although Matisse as a given name is less common in English-speaking contexts than its variants. Historically, the name Matthew has significant biblical connections, as it belongs to one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which is one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament.
The name has been borne by various saints and notable figures throughout history, contributing to its enduring presence in Christian tradition. The name Matisse gained further cultural significance in the 20th century through the renowned French artist Henri Matisse, whose contributions to modern art have left a lasting legacy, thereby enhancing the name's association with creativity and artistic expression.
Culturally, the name Matisse carries connotations of artistry and innovation, largely due to its association with Henri Matisse. The name evokes a sense of elegance and sophistication, reflecting the artistic movements of Fauvism and modernism.
While Matisse is primarily recognized as a surname, its use as a first name can be seen as a tribute to the artist's influence. The name's connection to themes of creativity and divine gifting resonates within various cultural contexts, ensuring its place in the lexicon of names associated with art and inspiration.
Famous people named Matisse
In this section, you will find notable people named Matisse. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Matisse who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Matisse who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Matisse Thybulle is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Matisse, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Matisse was first seen in the United States in 1994.
Matisse has ranked as high as #1335 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Matisse has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Matisse is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Matisse was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Matisse (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 9 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Matisse.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 1994 | 5 |