Mat Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Mat is a short form of the Hebrew name Matityahu, meaning 'gift of God.' It has evolved from its Hebrew roots through Greek and into modern English, reflecting a path of cultural significance. The name is associated with positive traits and biblical relevance, particularly with Saint Matthew.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Mat"
Pronunciation
/mæt/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Mat is derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu, which means 'gift of God.' It is often used as a short form of Matthew.
Meaning
gift of God
Language Evolution
Matityahu (Hebrew), Matthias (Greek), Matthew (English), Mat (modern English)
Biblical Background
Mat is commonly associated with the biblical figure Matthew, one of the twelve apostles and the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the early Christian era due to its association with Saint Matthew and has remained common throughout various cultures and languages.
Variants & Derivatives
Matthew, Matty, Matheus, Matteo
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Mat is often perceived as friendly and approachable. It remains a popular choice for boys in various English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Mat Latos (professional baseball player), Mat Kearney (musician), Mat Franco (magician)
📊 Mat Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Mat Name Visualizations
✨ Mat Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 21 peak births in 1917
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Mat"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Mat"
"Mat" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1994th of 7545 | 256 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3199th of 6773 | 103 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3212th of 7552 | 126 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3976th of 10718 | 108 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22675th of 24088 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Mat" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
96.75% 2289th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - |
60.61% 1682nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Mat" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Mat"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Mat" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Mat" in the United States
The name Mat is most popular in Kentucky, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Mat has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Mat' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1994th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3199th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3212th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3976th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22675th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Mat' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.