Meaning & History
Mate is a Georgian given name that serves as the local form of Matthew. It is used primarily in Georgia and among Georgian-speaking communities. The name derives from the Greek Ματθαῖος (Matthaios), which in turn comes from the Hebrew name Mattithiah, meaning “gift of Yahweh.” (Yahweh is the name of the God of Israel, derived from the root YHWH.) In the Christian tradition, Matthew is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, a tax collector before his calling, and traditionally considered the author of the first Gospel. He is venerated as a saint in many Christian denominations.
The variant Matthias (from the Greek Ματθίας) also appears in the New Testament as a separate apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. Both names have given rise to numerous forms across languages: in Georgian, the name takes the form Mate, while in Armenian it appears as Matevos. Biblical context includes Old Testament forms like Mattaniah and Nethaniah, which contain the theophoric element “iah” referring to Yahweh.
Cultural Significance in Georgia
Though Mate is not among the most common Georgian names today, it remains a recognizable traditional name, especially in religious families. The feast of Saint Matthew is celebrated in the Georgian Orthodox Church on November 16 (Julian calendar). The name is sometimes used as a baptismal name, honoring the apostle.
Worldwide Occurrence
While Mate is particularly Georgian, the English form Matthew has enjoyed widespread popularity in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, ranking highly for boys in the 1980s and 1990s. Notable bearers include American naval officer Matthew C. Perry (1794–1858) and actors Matthew Broderick (b. 1862), Matthew McConaughey (b. 1969), and Matthew Perry (1969–2023). The Basque form Matia also aligns with this international name family.
- Meaning: Gift of Yahweh
- Origin: Georgian form of Matthew, ultimately from Hebrew Mattithiah
- Type: First name
- Usage Regions: Georgia