In 1948, Grandview Heights in northeast Vancouver was developed as a sub-division to provide low rental housing for Veterans after the Second World War. Initially the streets were to be named after wildlife, but this was changed and the streets were named after personalities, battles and events from the two World Wars. The Chair of the Street Naming Sub-Committee was Alderman Halford Hal Wilson, who served as a Major during the Second World War.

Matapan Crescent was named on March 23, 1948, to commemorate those who fought at the Battle of Cape Matapan on March 28, 1941, during the Second World War. Control over the Mediterranean Sea was critical and in this Battle, the Royal Navy massacred the Italian Navy.