It is so named as it is heard in the opening phrase of Richard Wagner's opera Tristan und Isolde as part of the leitmotif relating to Tristan.
Oma nime on see saanud selle järgi, et kõlab Richard Wagneri ooperi "Tristan ja Isolde" avafraasis, osana Tristani tegelasele viitavast juhtmotiivist.