'anatase' originates from French, specifically the word 'anatase,' which was derived from Greek 'anatasis,' where 'ana-' meant 'up' and 'tasis' meant 'extension.'

'anatase' was adopted from the French word 'anatase' in the early 19th century, which itself came from Greek 'anatasis,' and eventually became the modern English word 'anatase.'

Initially, it referred to the mineral's elongated crystal form, and this meaning has remained the same in modern usage.