With Matthew sounding somewhat exhausted, and ancient endings sounding new again, this New Testament apostolic name makes an appealing and recommended choice. Both Mathias and Matias are well used in the Hispanic community, and throughout Europe. Will Ferrell and his Swedish wife chose Matias for their second son.
In the Bible, Matthias is the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches honor Matthias as a saint.
The Mathias spelling is used by George Eliot for the father of the protagonist of her novel Adam Bede.
Matthias is popular abroad, and especially in Austria, France, The Netherlands, Iceland and Belgium, where it is normally pronounced Muh-TEE-us, though Americans are more likely to say Mah-THY-us.
