Mattias is a name of Swedish origin, derived from the Scandinavian name Matthias. The name Matthias itself has its roots in the Greek word "matthaios," which means "gift of God." In the New Testament of the Bible, Matthias was one of the disciples chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after his betrayal of Jesus Christ.
In Sweden, Mattias became a popular given name during the Middle Ages. It was often used as an alternative to the more traditional Swedish names such as Anders and Lars. Over time, Mattias has remained a common choice among Swedish parents, with its popularity waning slightly in recent years but still ranking among the top 50 most popular boys' names in Sweden today.
The name Mattias has also gained international recognition due to notable individuals who have borne this name throughout history. One of the most famous figures is Saint Matthias, a Christian apostle who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot following his death. According to biblical accounts, Matthias was one of the candidates for the position and was ultimately selected through a casting of lots.
Another notable figure with the name Mattias is Swedish botanist Carl von Linné, also known as Carolus Linnaeus, who was born CarlMattias Nilsson but later Latinized his name. He is credited with developing the modern system of taxonomy, which provides a way to classify and organize living things based on their shared characteristics.
While Mattias may not have any specific feast days or associated traits attributed to those bearing this name, its origin and history make it a unique and meaningful choice for parents looking for a distinctive yet classic boy's name with deep roots in Scandinavian culture and tradition.
The name Mattias has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. According to the statistics provided, there were only 5 births with the name Mattias in 1975 and again in 1978. However, by 1996, the number of births had already reached 17, indicating a growing trend.
The years 2002 and 2003 marked a significant turning point for the name Mattias, with 46 and 49 births respectively, surpassing previous records. This growth continued steadily throughout the early to mid-2000s, reaching 84 births in 2007.
However, the most remarkable rise occurred between 2015 and 2023. In just eight years, the number of births with the name Mattias nearly tripled, from 104 in 2015 to a peak of 184 in 2021, followed by 177 in 2023. This indicates that the name Mattias has become increasingly popular among parents in recent years.
In total, there have been 2332 births with the name Mattias in the United States since 1975, demonstrating a consistent and significant presence of this name over several decades.