Meaning & History
Mattis is a male given name used primarily in German, Norwegian, and Swedish contexts. It functions as a variant of Matthias, which itself derives from the Greek Ματθίας (Matthias), a form of Ματθαῖος (Matthaios)—the source of the English name Matthew. The name ultimately traces back to the Hebrew name Mattithiah, meaning “gift of Yahweh.” In the New Testament, Matthias is the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:15–26), lending Mattis a longstanding Christian heritage.
Etymology and Linguistic Variants
Mattis is most closely related to the German form Mathias, the Swedish Mattias, and the German Mathis. Scandinavian usages also give rise to the diminutives Mats and Matts. Beyond Germanic languages, equivalent forms include Armenian Matevos, Basque Matia, and the Biblical Mattaniah and Nethaniah.
Notable Bearers
As a given name, notable individuals include Norwegian singer Mattis Hætta (1959–2022), photographer and film director Mattis Mathiesen (1924–2010), and sprint canoer Mattis Næss (born 1973). The surname Mattis is also widespread, with famous bearers such as James Mattis (born 1950), former United States Secretary of Defense; Sam Mattis (born 1994), American Olympic discus thrower; and Anne Tamar-Mattis, an American attorney and human rights advocate. Other notable figures include computer programmer Peter Mattis (co-creator of the GIMP) and footballer Dwayne Mattis (born 1981).
Geographic Distribution
While Mattis is most common in Scandinavia and Germany, its use as a surname has spread globally, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name remains relatively uncommon compared to Matthias or Matthew but maintains steady recognition across Northern Europe.
- Meaning: Gift of Yahweh
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: Given name (also a surname)
- Usage Regions: German, Norwegian, Swedish
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Mattis