Mathis is a French and German variant of Matthias, which itself derives from the Greek Ματθίας (Matthias), a form of Ματθαῖος (see Matthew). The name ultimately traces back to the Hebrew name Mattithiah, meaning "gift of Yahweh." In the New Testament, Matthias is the apostle chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas's betrayal and death, as recounted in Acts 1:21–26. Etymology and History Mathis emerged as a vernacular form of Matthias in French- and German-speaking regions during the medieval period. While Matthias remained common in ecclesiastical contexts, Mathis developed as a shorter, everyday variant in naming traditions. In Germany, the name appears as both Mathis and Mattis, while in France it stimulated variants such as Mathias (now more common in Scandinavia) and Mathys. The Hungarian form Mátyás was borne by Matthias I (c. 1440–1490), a celebrated Renaissance king who reformed the kingdom and fostered culture. Notable Bearers The name Mathis is well represented as both a first name and a surname. Notable individuals with the given name include Clint Mathis (born 1976), an American soccer player who represented the United States in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and Émile Mathis (1880–1956), a German-French automobile pioneer who co-founded the Mathis automobile company in Strasbourg. As a surname, it is carried by boxer Buster Mathis (1943–1995), singer Johnny Mathis (born 1935), actor James C. Mathis III, baseball catcher Jeff Mathis (born 1983), and American judge Greg Mathis (born 1960), known for the television series Judge Mathis. Many of these bearers reflect the name's spread to English-speaking countries through French and German immigration. Distribution Mathis is particularly common in France, Germany, Switzerland, Alsace, and the United States. In the United States, it peaked in popularity as a given name for boys in the late 2000s and remains in moderate use. As a surname, it is concentrated in French and German diasporas, with significant presence in the American South and Midwest. Meaning: Gift of Yahweh Origin: Hebrew, via Greek Matthias Type: Given name & surname Usage Regions: France, Germany, United States