EtymologyMads is a Danish short form of Mathias, which in turn derives from Matthias, a Greek variant of Matthew. The name ultimately comes from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning “gift of God.” In the New Testament, Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles (Acts 1:23-26).Usage and DistributionPrimarily used in Denmark, Mads is also found in Norway and Sweden, where it is considered a Scandinavian form of Matthew. The name peaked in popularity in Denmark during the 1990s and remains a classic choice. Its patronymic surname descendant, Madsen, means “son of Mads.”Notable BearersNotable individuals named Mads span various fields. In business, Mads Clausen (1905–1966) founded the multinational Danfoss; Mads Johansen Lange (1807–1856) was a Danish trader and peacemaker on Bali. In the arts, actor Mads Mikkelsen is known for films like Casino Royale and the series Hannibal. Musicians include Mads Langer (pop), Mads Tolling (violinist), and Mads Vinding (jazz bassist). In politics, Mads Fuglede is a Danish politician, while adventurer Mads Alexandersen received the Cartier Award. In science, paleontologist Mads Møller described the dinosaurs Dracorex and Stygimoloch.Related FormsRelated names include Matevos (Armenian), Matia (Basque), Matthew (English), and Matthias (German).Meaning: Gift of GodOrigin: DanishType: Given name (diminutive)Usage regions: Scandinavia