Mathius is a variant of Matthias or Matthew, from Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of God.'
Mathius is a variant of Matthias, itself a Latinization of the Greek Matthaios, which traces back to the Hebrew Mattityahu — a compound of mattath (gift) and Yah (a shortened form of the divine name YHWH). The name therefore means 'gift of God,' a formulation that has made it a perennial favorite across Jewish, Christian, and Muslim naming traditions. The extra 'i' in Mathius softens the classical form slightly, giving it a continental European flavor reminiscent of German and Scandinavian renderings.
The name's most famous scriptural bearer is Saint Matthias, chosen by the apostles by lot to replace Judas Iscariot after the Resurrection, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. His selection by divine chance — the casting of lots — made him a symbol of providential appointment, the man God chose when no human calculation could settle the matter. The name Matthew, its closest kin, also belonged to one of the four Evangelists, giving the root name an extraordinary presence across the New Testament.
Among historical figures, the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Matthias and King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary — the great Renaissance patron — burnished the name's association with learned, vigorous rule. Mathius, as a distinct spelling, has gained traction as parents seek names with classical gravitas that nonetheless feel fresh. It sidesteps the ubiquity of Matthew while preserving all the etymological richness. In contemporary use it appears across Europe and the Americas, often chosen by families who want the name to reflect both tradition and a degree of individuality.