UK name, mostly boys
Matisse
A French masculine name derived from the surname Matisse, meaning "wanton".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Matisse is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Matisse popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 7 births.
This profile covers 73 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 2001 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 73 living people in the UK are called Matisse. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Matisse ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 7 boys were registered as Matisse.
- • About 73 living people in the UK are estimated to have Matisse as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 92.4% of Matisse registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2015
7 births
Estimated living
73
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Matisse
In England and Wales birth records, Matisse has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 92.4% of registrations are for boys and 7.6% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Matisse registered for boys
- Ranked #5,119 in 2024
- 3 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2015 (7 births)
Matisse registered for girls
- Ranked #5,591 in 2019
- 3 girls registered in 2019
- Peak: 2010 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Matisse mean?
The name Matisse is of French origin, derived from the French surname Matisse. The surname is believed to have originated from the Old French word "matis," meaning "wasteland" or "uncultivated land."
The name Matisse first gained prominence in the 19th century, although its usage as a first name is relatively modern. The earliest recorded example of the name Matisse is Henri Matisse, the renowned French artist who lived from 1869 to 1954. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern art and a leader of the Fauvist movement.
Another notable figure with the first name Matisse was Matisse Thyville, a French artist and sculptor who lived from 1944 to 2008. He was known for his abstract sculptures and installations, and his work was exhibited in various galleries and museums throughout Europe.
In the world of literature, Matisse Martin was a French writer and poet who lived from 1922 to 2005. She published several collections of poetry and was known for her unique style and exploration of themes related to love, nature, and the human condition.
Moving to the world of music, Matisse Rosblare was a French singer and songwriter who lived from 1958 to 2018. She gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s for her captivating melodies and poetic lyrics, which often explored themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.
Lastly, Matisse Lebrun was a French fashion designer who lived from 1901 to 1982. He was renowned for his elegant and sophisticated designs, which were favored by many influential figures of the time, including royalty and celebrities.
While the name Matisse is not directly referenced in any ancient texts or religious scriptures, its French origin and association with the renowned artist Henri Matisse have contributed to its recognition and popularity as a first name in modern times.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Matisse over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Matisse in England and Wales, from 2001 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Matisse, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Matisse by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Matisse was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3838 | 18 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3856 | 31 | 7 |
| 2000s | #3333 | 24 | 6 |
Related
Names similar to Matisse
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Matisse: questions and answers
How popular is the name Matisse in the UK right now?
In 2024, Matisse was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Matisse most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 7 babies registered as Matisse in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Matisse?
A French masculine name derived from the surname Matisse, meaning "wanton".
How many people are called Matisse in the UK?
A total of 73 babies have been registered as Matisse across the 17 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.