Matas is the Lithuanian form of Matthew. It is a masculine given name with a rich history, stemming ultimately from the Hebrew name Mattithiah, meaning “gift of Yahweh.” The name is particularly common in Lithuania and among the Lithuanian diaspora. EtymologyThe name Matas traces its origins to the Greek “Matthaios,” which itself derives from the Aramaic “Mattai,” a short form of the Hebrew “Mattithiah.” Mattithiah is composed of two elements: “mattan” (gift) and “Yah” (a shortened form of Yahweh), hence “gift of Yahweh.” In the New Testament, Matthew (also known as Levi) was a tax collector who became one of the twelve apostles and the traditional author of the first Gospel. His Hebrew name was Mattithiah, but he is known in Greek as Matthaios, from which the Latin Matthaeus and the English Matthew evolved. Cultural SignificanceIn Lithuania, Matas is a traditional and beloved name, often given to boys. It is distinct from the related form Motiejus, which is the Lithuanian equivalent of Matthias. While both are derived from the same source, Matas aligns more closely with the Matthew variant, whereas Motiejus corresponds to Matthias. The name's popularity in Lithuania reflects the country's strong Catholic heritage, as Saint Matthew is venerated as the patron saint of tax collectors, accountants, and bankers. The name is also easily recognizable across many cultures due to the widespread use of Matthew and its cognates. Notable BearersAccording to Wikipedia, several Lithuanian public figures have borne the name Matas. These include Matas Macaitis (born 1988), an artistic gymnast; Matas Maldeikis (born 1980), a politician; Matas Metlevski (born 2003), an actor; and Matas Šalčius (1890–1940), a traveler and writer. Additionally, the surname Matas exists in other cultures, such as the Czech surname Matas (feminine form Matasová), and notable international figures include the Spanish politician Jaume Matas (born 1954) and the Italian architect Niccolò Matas (1798–1872). Meaning: Gift of YahwehOrigin: Hebrew, via Greek and Lithuanian adaptationType: Given nameUsage regions: Lithuania