September 21
Why this day? This is the day the name-day calendar sets aside for Saint Matthew.
A tax collector in Capernaum in the first century, in Galilee. He left his meticulous records to follow a new path, then rigorously transcribed Jesus's teachings, becoming the first evangelist.
What stays with us: One can change one's life without waiting for permission from the past. The ability to reinvent oneself while bringing order and meaning to lived experience is a universal human strength.
Mathis is celebrated in France, Spain and Germany on September 21.
The name « Mathis » is a Germanic and vernacular form of Matthieu and Matthias, tracing back to the Hebrew Mattityahou, meaning "gift of God." Its patron saint is the apostle and evangelist Saint Matthew, a tax collector who became a disciple and author of the first Gospel, celebrated on September 21.
Although its roots are biblical and ancient, Mathis is perceived as a resolutely modern first name. It experienced a surge in popularity in France from the late 1990s onward, firmly establishing itself among the top-ranking boys' names in the 2000s. Its soft and dynamic sound, lacking the solemnity of Matthieu, partly explains this success.
Historical curiosity: the Renaissance painter Matthias Grünewald was actually named Mathis Gothart Nithart, which inspired Paul Hindemith's opera "Mathis der Maler." Today, Mathis evokes a simple, sporty, and likable boy, a fresh and unpretentious first name that accompanied an entire generation of children at the turn of the millennium.
Mathis is the simple and sunny boy in the truest sense of the term — no fuss, no smoke and mirrors, just a beautiful energy and a straight heart. Athletic at heart (his dynamism is one of his key traits), he loves movement, play, the great outdoors, and challenges with friends. You’ll often find him on a field, on a bike, or on a board, spending without counting this contagious vitality.
The name, very popular in France since the late 1990s, breathes casual modernity. It carries neither the solemn weight of Matthieu nor the stiffness of a ceremonial name: Mathis is fresh, accessible, and friendly. It suits the character — a boy who is easy to approach, who puts others at ease, and who doesn’t take himself too seriously (his good-natured humor does the rest).
But don’t let his lightness deceive you: Mathis is a rock. Solid loyalty, quiet stability — he is the reliable friend you can count on, the one who keeps his word and causes no trouble. Discreet about the need for recognition (his lowest trait), he has no thirst for glory; he prefers the satisfaction of a job well done and the warmth of a close circle.
His distant namesake, the apostle Matthew, was a tax collector who became a faithful disciple: Mathis shares this ability to fully commit once trust is given. Constant, warm, and generous with his energy, he moves through life with common sense and good humor. Not the type to reinvent the world with great fanfare — rather, the one who makes it, day by day, a little more livable and a little more fun.
Playful portrait, for entertainment.
What science says. The effect of a first name on character is documented, and several scientific studies have looked into it. They do not show that a name contains a hidden personality, but that it captures attention, triggers social expectations and slightly changes the way others respond to us. Read our article what the psychology of first names is based on to find out more.
The name "Mathis", this "gift of God", has no patience for slow games. His approach is frank, almost raw in its sincerity, as he doesn't play hide-and-seek. To seduce him is to offer a piece of his naked soul, without disguise. He is drawn to what has substance and fire: a magnetic presence, a sharp intelligence, a sensuality that asks for no permission. He is sensitive to glances that say more than words, to hands that know how to seize the moment. But beware: boredom is his Achilles' heel. Routine kills him faster than sadness. He tires of what is static, what refuses to move or feel. He seeks an electric connection, an alchemy where giving and receiving are in balance. He wants to love with intensity, not out of habit. If you are looking for the security of an old armchair, run away. But if you are ready to live a passion that carries you away, where every gesture counts and emotion is queen, then Mathis will offer you an unforgettable love, made of human warmth and raw truth.
It comes from the Hebrew Mattityahu and means 'gift of Yahweh' or 'gift of God'.
A tax collector called by Jesus to be an apostle, traditionally the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
September 21 in the Western Catholic calendar.
Matt is by far the most common, along with Matty and Mattie.
It was one of the top US boys' names from the 1970s through the 1990s.
Playful profile, for entertainment.
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