Meaning
The meaning of Matthias
Matthias belongs to the same broad meaning family as Matthew, often understood as gift of God. Its New Testament story gives that meaning a sense of calling and appointment.
Name story
Chosen after waiting and prayer
Matthias appears in Acts 1 when the apostles seek someone to take the place of Judas. The choice is made after prayer, among those who had accompanied Jesus' ministry.
That gives Matthias a quieter apostolic significance: not fame, but faithful presence and readiness.
Naming use
Gift and calling
The meaning gift of God makes Matthias warmly devotional. The Acts story adds themes of witness, continuity, and being chosen for service.
For families, Matthias feels more distinctive than Matthew while still being recognizably Christian.
Sound
How to pronounce Matthias
- Phonetic
- muh-THY-us
- IPA
- /məˈθaɪəs/
3 syllables · stress: muh-THY-us · ends in a consonant
Forms
Variants and nicknames
Alternate spellings
- Matias
- Mathias
- Mattias
- Mateusz
- Mathieu
- Matvey
Short forms and nicknames
- Matt
- Matty
Languages
Matthias in other languages
- Hebrew
- מַתִּתְיָהוּMattityahuMatthew and Matthias share the same Hebrew root Mattityahu, but are distinct apostles and bear distinct Greek forms (Matthaios vs Matthias).
- Greek
- ΜατθίαςMatthias
- Latin
- Matthias
- Spanish
- Matías
- French
- Matthias
- German
- Matthias
- Italian
- Mattia
- Russian
- МатфийMatfiy
- Polish
- Maciej
Christian background
Christian and biblical background
Matthias is important in Christian tradition because he is chosen to join the apostles in Acts. The name carries the idea of faithful witness after loss and failure.
Scripture
The biblical figure
Matthias is selected in Acts 1 to replace Judas among the twelve apostles.
Bearers
Notable people named Matthias
biblical
MatthiasDisciple chosen by lot in Acts 1 to take Judas Iscariot's place among the Twelvehistorical
Matthias CorvinusKing of Hungary and Croatia, patron of the Renaissance in Central Europe, 1443 to 1490historical
Matthias GrünewaldGerman Renaissance painter, around 1470 to 1528, best known for the Isenheim Altarpiecemodern
Matthias SchoenaertsBelgian actor known for Rust and Bone and The Danish Girl, born 1977
Saint
Saint Matthias the Apostle
- Traditions
- Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican
- Patron of
- carpenters, tailors, against alcoholism
Matthias, chosen by lot to replace Judas among the Twelve, is commemorated in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
Naming history
Naming tradition and history
Matthias and Mathias have long Christian use in Europe. The name feels formal, historic, and substantial.
Recent US use
Matthias in recent US use
- Rank in 2025
- #372
- Peak rank
- #372 in 2025
- Recent trend
- stable over the last 5 years
- Years in the SSA records
- 119 (since 1880)
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.
Sibling fit
Sibling name suggestions
For families
For families looking at Matthias
Matthias may suit parents who want an apostolic name with a gift meaning and a more distinctive sound than Matthew.
Common questions
What does Matthias mean?
Matthias is commonly understood as gift of God.
Is Matthias a biblical name?
Yes. Matthias is chosen in Acts 1 to join the apostles.
Is Matthias related to Matthew?
Yes. Matthias and Matthew are related in meaning and name family.
Sources
Sources for Matthias
- A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology (Mattityahu); meaning 'gift of God'.
- The Acts of the Apostles, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure; chosen by lot to replace Judas among the Twelve (Acts 1:26).
- The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, David Hugh Farmer (5th edition)Supports: Saint Matthias the Apostle; venerated across major traditions; feast day (May 14).
Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.
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