Matan first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Matan has been for the last 39 years (from 1985 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Matan

A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift".

Popularity of Matan by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Matan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 23 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Matan.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 23 0
2022 19 0
2021 27 0
2020 27 0
2019 24 0
2018 37 0
2017 27 0
2016 21 0
2015 23 0
2014 26 0
2013 20 0
2012 23 0
2011 26 0
2010 32 0
2009 24 0
2008 21 0
2007 29 0
2006 20 0
2005 30 0
2004 33 0
2003 22 0
2002 24 0
2001 19 0
2000 21 0
1999 32 0
1998 21 0
1997 11 0
1996 13 0
1995 13 0
1994 13 0
1993 18 0
1992 14 0
1991 10 0
1990 15 0
1989 14 0
1988 14 0
1987 9 0
1986 6 0
1985 7 0

The history of the first name Matan

The name Matan is a Hebrew name with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "matanah," which means "gift" or "present." The name is believed to have originated in the Middle East region, particularly in ancient Israel.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Matan can be found in the Hebrew Bible, where it is mentioned as the name of one of the sons of Eleazar, who was a grandson of Aaron, the brother of Moses. This reference suggests that the name has been in use for several millennia.

In the 8th century BCE, there was a notable figure named Matan, who was a priest during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. He is mentioned in the Book of Kings in the Hebrew Bible as one of the advisors who counseled the king to engage in idolatrous practices.

During the Middle Ages, the name Matan was relatively uncommon but still in use among Jewish communities. One notable individual with this name was Matan ben Moses, a 13th-century Jewish scholar and philosopher from Provence, France.

In more recent history, one of the most famous individuals with the name Matan was Matan Vilnai, an Israeli politician and former government minister, who was born in 1944 and served in various roles, including as the Deputy Defense Minister of Israel.

Another notable figure was Matan Kahana, an Israeli religious leader and author, who was born in 1952 and is known for his work in promoting Jewish education and spirituality.

Matan Arazi is an Israeli former professional tennis player who was born in 1981 and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 18 in the world in 2001.

Matan Toker is an Israeli filmmaker and writer, born in 1980, who is known for directing award-winning films such as "Rotterdam" and "Love Trilogy."

Matan Vilnai, Matan Kahana, Matan Arazi, and Matan Toker are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Matan throughout history, reflecting its enduring presence and significance within the Hebrew and Jewish cultural traditions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Matan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Matan, please contact us.

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"Matan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 18, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/matan-meaning-and-history/.

"Matan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/matan-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 18 June, 2025

Matan first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/matan-meaning-and-history/.

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