Matts is a Swedish masculine given name, functioning as a variant of Mats — itself a Swedish and Norwegian short form of Matthias. The chain traces back to the New Testament name Matthias, a Greek variant of Matthew, ultimately derived from Hebrew Mattityahu meaning “gift of Yahweh.” Etymology and Development The name Matthias (Greek Ματθίας) appears in the Bible as the apostle chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:23–26). Its related form Matthew is more common in English-speaking countries, but Matthias retained popularity in Central and Northern Europe. In Sweden, the contracted form Mats gained widespread use, and Matts emerged as a variant — likely a hypercorrection or a less common spelling reflecting the full sounding of the consonant cluster. Notable Bearers Several Swedish and Finnish notable figures illustrate the use of Matts across history and professions: Matts Björk (1867–1936), a Finnish lawyer and politician who served in the Diet of Finland. Matts Dumell (born 1952), a Finnish journalist. Matts Olsson (born 1988), a Swedish alpine ski racer specializing in giant slalom, earning World Cup podiums and an Olympic bronze. Matts Kunding, an Irish football player whose name reflects the Swedish link (his family likely of Swedish origin). Matts Kurck (also known as Matti Kurki), a 16th-century Finnish chieftain. The surname Matts also occurs rarely, as with English cricket player Alfred Matts (1893–1970) and American politician Peter W. Matts (1814–1903). Frequency and Cultural Context Matts is almost exclusively associated with Sweden and Swedish-speaking Finns. It is less common than Mats in the general Swedish population but maintains occasional use, especially in the mid-20th century. As a variant, it often appears on historical records and among older generations. The descendant surname Mattsson is a common Swedish patronymic meaning “son of Matts.” Related Names Diachronically, Matts belongs to a large family encompassing Armenian Matevos and Basque Matia, as well as English Matthew. Biblical cousin names include Mattantiah and Mattithiah, all built on the “gift” theme. Key Facts Meaning: Gift of God (ultimate element Yahweh) Origin: Swedish variant form of Mats Type: Male personal name Usage Regions: Sweden, Swedish-speaking Finland Related Names: Mats, Matthew, Matthias, Tommi (see chain)