A form of Matthias or Matthew, from Hebrew roots meaning gift of God.
Mattias is a Scandinavian and northern European form of Matthias, itself part of the great family of names descending from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of God." The name’s journey passed through Greek and Latin forms before settling into local variants across Europe: Matthew, Matthias, Matias, Matteo, and Mattias all belong to the same wide linguistic clan. That gives Mattias a sturdy historical core.
It is unmistakably ancient, but its spelling makes it feel cooler and more regional than the more familiar Matthew. The biblical background matters here. Matthias is the apostle chosen in the Acts of the Apostles to replace Judas, which gave the name religious authority in Christian Europe.
Mattias has since been borne by numerous Nordic and European figures, from athletes to musicians, and it remains especially at home in Sweden and Estonia. The spelling with double t and final -as creates a balance of softness and structure, one reason it has appealed to parents seeking something recognizable without being overly common in English-speaking settings. Its perception has shifted from overtly biblical to quietly international.
In many countries it now feels less like a church name and more like a polished cosmopolitan classic. That is the pattern with many ancient names that have been refreshed by travel across languages. Mattias keeps the meaning of divine gift, but in modern use it often reads as thoughtful, strong, and worldly. It belongs to that rare category of names that can sound old and new at the same time.