Matius
A masculine name of unclear meaning, perhaps derived from the Latin name Matthaeus.
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Matius. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Matius today is around 4 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Matius births was 2022 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Matius. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Matius. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2022
5 babies that year
Average age
4
years old
2022 SSA rank
#13,634
Tracked since 2022
Popularity
Matius: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Matius by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Matius during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Matius
The given name Matius is believed to have originated in ancient Rome during the classical era. It is derived from the Latin word "Matus", which means "ripe" or "mature". This name was often given to Roman boys born during the harvest season or to those who displayed wisdom and maturity beyond their years.
In the early days of Christianity, the name Matius gained popularity among the followers of the faith. It is mentioned in several early Christian texts, including the writings of St. Jerome, who lived from 347 to 420 AD. St. Jerome referred to a bishop named Matius, who was known for his piety and devotion to the church.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Matius can be found in the ancient Roman military records, where a soldier named Matius Calpurnius is mentioned as having served in the legions during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD). This suggests that the name was in use among the Roman nobility and military ranks.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Matius continued to be used across various regions of Europe, particularly in Italy and the areas that were once part of the Roman Empire. During the Renaissance period, several notable figures bore this name, including Matius Curtius (1475-1542), an Italian humanist and philosopher, and Matius Lolius (1490-1562), a renowned Italian architect and engineer.
In the 16th century, Matius Beccadelli (1501-1549) was an Italian poet and scholar who gained recognition for his works in Latin and Italian literature. Another prominent figure was Matius Calvinus (1510-1564), a French theologian and one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation.
During the 17th century, Matius Renaldini (1615-1698) was an Italian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. In the 18th century, Matius Villani (1725-1793) was an Italian architect and urban planner who designed several notable buildings in Rome and its surrounding areas.
It is worth noting that while the name Matius has endured throughout history, it has become relatively uncommon in modern times, particularly outside of Italy and certain regions of Europe. However, its rich historical significance and connection to the classical era continue to make it a unique and intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with deep cultural roots.
People
Matius + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Matius as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Matius: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Matius?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Matius going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Matius a common name?
We classify Matius as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Matius most popular?
The single biggest year for Matius was 2022, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Matius is about 4 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Matius in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Matius a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Matius in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Matius still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Matius in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Matius can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Matius?
For a quick modern take, check how many people share the name Matius on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.