Matti is a Finnish given name, derived as a form of Matthew or Matthias. It originates from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning "gift of God." In Finland, Matti is one of the most traditional and widely-used names, reflecting the country's strong Christian heritage. The name is also found as a short form of the Yiddish Mattisyahu, though its primary association is Finnish. Etymology and History Matti traces its roots to the Hebrew Mattithiah, which means "gift of Yahweh." This name appears in both the Old and New Testaments: Matthew, also known as Levi, was one of the twelve apostles and the traditional author of the first Gospel. In Greek, the name took the form Matthaios, which later evolved into Matthew in English and Matthias in Germanic languages. The Finnish form Matti follows typical adaptations where indigenous phonetics replace original sounds, thus becoming a staple Finnish name. Cultural Significance in Finland In Finland, Matti has been among the most common male given names for centuries, often appearing in traditional name-day calendars (annually on February 24). It is also a fixture in Finnish sayings and folklore, such as the expression "Matti kulta" ("dear Matti"), used to refer to a typical Finnish man. Its popularity remained strong throughout the 20th century, though it has declined slightly in favor of newer variants like Matias. Notable Bearers The name Matti is especially prominent in sports. Artists include ski jumpers Matti Nykänen (1963–2019) and Matti Hautamäki (born 1981), both multiple Olympic and World Championship medalists. Ice hockey players like Matti Hagman (1955–2016) and soccer player Matti Klinga (born 1994) also bear the name. In politics, Matti Vanhanen (born 1955) served as Prime Minister of Finland (2003–2010), and in music, singer Matti Järvinen was part of the band Happoradio. Others include wrestler Matti Jutila (1932–2025) and rowing coach Matti Killing (born 1948, Estonian). Related Names Despite extensive cross-cultural employment, & other European languages versions also encounter: English Matthew; German Matthias; Basque Matia; Armenian Matevos; and established, Biblical / Non-even-related descendant forms which require extension the chain ( Mattaniah and its composition, due to repeating root root as best determined). The longer variants that include its true meaning thus align often include extensions of the name (such as theologically-driven comparative types). In sum, each naming borrows similarity-syllabic phonetic preference. Meaning: "Gift of God" (from Hebrew Mattityahu) Origin: Hebrew, via Greek and Latin to Finnish Type: Given name Usage: Primarily Finnish; also Yiddish (short form)