Find out how popular the first name Thijs has been for the last 19 years (from 2004 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Thijs by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Thijs is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Thijs.

The history of the first name Thijs

The name Thijs originates from the Dutch language and has its roots in the medieval period. It is a variant of the name Matthijs, which is the Dutch form of the biblical name Matthew, derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu.

The name Thijs can be traced back to the 12th century in the Low Countries, which includes present-day Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of northern France. It was a popular name among the Dutch-speaking population during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Thijs can be found in the Dutch epic poem "Van den vos Reinaerde" (Reynard the Fox), written in the 13th century. The name appears in this literary work as a character name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Thijs. One of the most famous was Thijs Smolders (1530-1597), a Dutch Catholic priest and theologian who played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation in the Low Countries.

Another notable figure was Thijs Schouteren (1753-1813), a Dutch military officer who served in the Netherlands during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. He is particularly known for his role in the Battle of Bergen op Zoom in 1814.

In the world of art, Thijs Maris (1838-1917) was a renowned Dutch painter and etcher, known for his landscapes and cityscapes. He was part of the esteemed Hague School of painters in the 19th century.

Moving into the 20th century, Thijs Wöltgens (1917-1991) was a Dutch cyclist who competed in both track and road cycling events. He won multiple national championships and represented the Netherlands in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

Another notable Thijs was Thijs Mulder (1939-2022), a Dutch politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives for the Christian Democratic Appeal party from 1977 to 1994.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Thijs, showcasing its enduring presence in Dutch culture and society across various fields.

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

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

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