Find out how popular the first name Mathys has been for the last 9 years (from 2016 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mathys by gender

Based on the last 9 years of data, Mathys is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Mathys.

The history of the first name Mathys

The given name Mathys originated from the Dutch language, derived from the biblical name Matthias or Matthew, which in turn comes from the Hebrew name Mattityahu. It is a variant spelling of the name Matthijs, which was historically more common in the Netherlands and Flanders region of Europe during medieval times.

In the New Testament of the Bible, Matthias was the apostle chosen by the remaining eleven apostles to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas' betrayal and death. This biblical reference likely contributed to the name's early popularity among Christian communities in the Low Countries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mathys can be found in the 14th century, when Mathys van Borselen, a Dutch nobleman and military leader, played a significant role in the Hook and Cod Wars between 1350 and 1490. He was a prominent figure in the political and military conflicts that shaped the history of the Netherlands during that period.

Another notable bearer of the name was Mathys Peeters, a 16th-century Flemish painter known for his religious works and portraits. He was a member of the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke and worked primarily in the city of Antwerp during the Renaissance era.

In the 17th century, Mathys Balen, a Dutch Golden Age painter and art historian, is remembered for his significant contributions to the documentation of Dutch and Flemish artists' biographies. His work, "Beschryvinge der stad Dordrecht," published in 1677, remains a valuable resource for understanding the art and culture of the Dutch Golden Age.

Moving forward to the 18th century, Mathys Naiveu, a Dutch-born colonial administrator and governor of the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia), left a lasting impact on the Dutch colonial presence in Southeast Asia during his tenure from 1779 to 1781.

In more recent times, Mathys Goosen, a South African rugby union player who played as a flanker, represented the Springboks national team between 2002 and 2008, earning 13 caps and contributing to the team's success during that period.

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 Mathys was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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