Matias is a name of Latin origin that means "gift of God". It is believed to have been derived from the Aramaic word "matta", which means "gift". The name Matias has been used throughout history, but it gained significant popularity during the Middle Ages in Spain.
The name Matias was first used by the Jews as a translation of the Hebrew name Mattityahu, which is composed of the elements "mattay" meaning "gift" and "-yah" meaning "of God". The name became more widely known after Saint Matthias, one of Jesus' twelve apostles, who took the place of Judas Iscariot according to Acts 1:26.
In the Middle Ages, Matias was used as a Christian name in Spain and other parts of Europe. It was also used among Jews and Muslims, with various spellings such as Matías, Mateo, and Matti.
Today, Matias is still widely used around the world, particularly in Spain, where it has been one of the most popular names for boys over the past few decades. It is also commonly used in other Spanish-speaking countries, as well as in Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
Overall, Matias is a name with a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Its meaning, "gift of God", makes it a powerful and meaningful choice for parents looking for a special name for their child.
The name Matias experienced a significant rise in popularity over the years, with a notable increase starting around the late 1970s. Between 1986 and 2023, the number of annual births named Matias jumped from 39 to 2191, indicating a growing preference for this name among parents. The most popular year for the name Matias was 2023 with 2191 births, marking a considerable increase from the previous year (1944 in 2022).