'Matricaria' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'matricaria', where 'matrix' meant 'womb' (and by extension 'mother' or 'source').

'Matricaria' changed from Medieval Latin botanical usage (Medieval Latin 'matricaria') and was adopted into modern botanical Latin and scientific nomenclature as the genus name 'Matricaria'.

Initially, it referred to plants associated with remedies for women's ailments (connected to 'womb' or 'mother'), but over time it evolved into the modern botanical name for a genus of chamomile-like plants.