The given name Matt is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, which means "gift of God" or "God's gift." The name can be traced back to the biblical figure Mattathias, a Jewish priest who led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.

Mattityahu was a common name among Jews in ancient times, and it was often shortened to Matityah or Mattai. The name eventually spread to other cultures and languages, evolving into various forms such as Matthew, Matthias, and Matt.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Matt can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, where it appears as the name of one of the twelve apostles, Matthew (also known as Levi). Matthew was a tax collector who became a follower of Jesus Christ and is believed to have authored the Gospel of Matthew.

In the Middle Ages, the name Matt became popular in Europe, particularly in England and other parts of the British Isles. Several notable historical figures bore this name, including Matt Buchinger (1674-1739), a German artist and performer who was born without arms or legs but became renowned for his calligraphy and woodcarving skills.

Another famous bearer of the name was Matt Talbot (1856-1925), an Irish Catholic who overcame alcoholism and devoted his life to penance and helping the poor. He is venerated as a patron saint of those struggling with addiction.

During the Renaissance, the Italian polymath Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) was known as Matt Ricci. He was a Jesuit missionary who traveled to China and made significant contributions to the introduction of Western science and culture to the country.

In more recent history, Matt Busby (1909-1994) was a legendary Scottish football player and manager who guided Manchester United to numerous successes, including the European Cup in 1968.

Matt Damon (born 1970) is a renowned American actor who has starred in numerous critically acclaimed films, such as Good Will Hunting, The Departed, and The Martian, for which he received several Academy Award nominations.