"gift of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Danish
Mads
Does Mads flow with your last name?
The sleek Danish form of Matthew, meaning 'gift of God'
Danish
Norwegian
Swedish
American
Minimalist
Strong
Modern
Sophisticated
Unique
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Meaning & Origin
"divine gift"
Origin: Aramaic/Hebrew
Language: Scandinavian
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Things to Know About This Name
- English speakers may associate with 'mad' meaning angry or crazy
The Story of Mads
Mads is the Danish and Norwegian form of Matthew, which derives from the Hebrew 'Mattityahu' meaning 'gift of God.' As the Scandinavian equivalent of Matthew and Matthias, Mads has been used in Denmark for centuries. Its compact, one-syllable form gives it a modern feel despite its ancient roots.
Mads has gained international recognition primarily through Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, who rose to global fame through Casino Royale (2006) and the TV series Hannibal (2013-2015). His fame has made Mads appealing to non-Scandinavian parents seeking unusual European names.
In Denmark and Norway, Mads is a completely normal, mainstream name — equivalent to Matt or Mark in English. Its exotic quality is entirely in the perception of non-Scandinavian speakers who find its sound and spelling distinctive.
Historical Record
Mads first appeared in US Social Security records in 2011.
Over 225 babies have been named Mads in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mads is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,911 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mads Mikkelsen became internationally famous playing the villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale and the iconic Hannibal Lecter in the NBC series Hannibal
- Denmark's most famous Mads — Mads Mikkelsen — has made this once obscure-outside-Scandinavia name recognizable worldwide
Mads in Other Languages
Danish
Mads
German
Matthias
Hebrew
Mattityahu
English
Matthew
Norwegian
Mads
Popularity Over Time
#3,911
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mads
M
Mads Pedersen
Athlete
1995
Danish professional road cyclist and 2019 UCI Road World Champion
M
Mads Mikkelsen
Actor
1965
Danish actor known for Casino Royale, Hannibal (TV), Another Round, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #3,911
- Total SSA Count
- 28
- Cultural Origins
- Danish Norwegian Swedish American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mads
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mads
What does the name Mads mean?
"gift of God" (from Hebrew). "divine gift" (from Aramaic/Hebrew). Mads is the Danish and Norwegian form of Matthew, which derives from the Hebrew 'Mattityahu' meaning 'gift of God.' As the Scandinavian equivalent of Matthew and Matthias, Mads has been used in Denmark for centuries. Its compact, one-syllable form gives it a modern feel despite its ancient roots.
What is the origin of the name Mads?
Mads has Hebrew, Aramaic/Hebrew, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "gift of God". In Aramaic/Hebrew, it means "divine gift".
Is Mads a boy or girl name?
Mads is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Mads?
Mads is currently ranked #3911 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Mads?
Popular middle name pairings include Mads Erik, Mads Lars, Mads Nils, Mads Oliver, and Mads Sebastian.
What are good sibling names for Mads?
Names that pair well with Mads as siblings include Soren, Freya, Lars, Sigrid, Bjorn, Astrid, and Gunnar.
How many syllables does Mads have?
Mads has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mads a common or rare name?
Mads is an uncommon name, ranked #3911 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Mads?
About the Name Mads
Mads is a boy name with Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and American origins . The name means "gift of God" in Hebrew .
Mads is currently ranked #3,911 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Mads has 1 syllable, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Mads include Maddox, Madden, Maddux, Maddix, Maddex . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis