"gift of Yahweh, gift of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Mattisyahu
The full Hebrew form of Matthew: gift of Yahweh
Jewish
Hebrew
Israeli
Traditional
Spiritual
Strong
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"God's blessing"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
The Story of Mattisyahu
Mattisyahu is the original Hebrew form of Matthew, composed of two elements: 'matan' (gift) and 'Yah' (a shortened form of Yahweh, the God of Israel). Together, it means 'gift of God' or 'gift of Yahweh'. This is the name as it appears in Hebrew scripture for Mattityahu the Maccabee, the priestly father whose rebellion against Antiochus IV sparked the Hanukkah story.
Mattisyahu is used almost exclusively in religious Jewish communities, particularly Ashkenazi Orthodox communities where Hebrew and Yiddish names are preserved in their full forms. It gained some broader recognition through reggae artist Matisyahu (Matthew Paul Miller), who adopted the Hebrew form of his name.
In Jewish tradition, Mattisyahu the Maccabee (father of Judah Maccabee) is a figure of great religious significance — his resistance against the Hellenization of Judaism in 168 BCE is commemorated during Hanukkah. The name carries deep historical and religious weight in Jewish culture.
Fun Facts
- Mattisyahu (the Maccabee) lived around 167 BCE and his rebellion is the origin story of Hanukkah
- Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu (born Matthew Miller) popularized this name outside Orthodox Jewish communities
- The name evolved into Matthew in English, Matthias in German/Dutch, and Mateo in Spanish — all from this one Hebrew original
Mattisyahu in Other Languages
Greek
Ματθαίος
Arabic
متى
Hebrew
מַתִּתְיָהוּ
English
Matthew
Yiddish
Matisyohu
Popularity Over Time
#5,555
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Mattisyahu
M
Matisyahu (Matthew Paul Miller)
Musician
1979
American Jewish reggae artist known for 'King Without a Crown', who adopted an Orthodox Jewish lifestyle and Hebrew name
M
Mattityahu the Maccabee
Religious
Jewish priest who initiated the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire around 167 BCE, the event commemorated by H...
Jewish priest who initiated the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire around 167 BCE, the event commemorated by Hanukkah
M
Matthew (Apostle)
Religious
One of the twelve apostles of Jesus and author of the Gospel of Matthew, born as Mattisyahu in Hebrew
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 5
- Popularity Rank
- #5,555
- Total SSA Count
- 17
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Hebrew Israeli
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Matti
Matt
Yahu
Tis
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Jewish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mattisyahu
What does the name Mattisyahu mean?
"gift of Yahweh, gift of God" (from Hebrew). "God's blessing" (from Hebrew). Mattisyahu is the original Hebrew form of Matthew, composed of two elements: 'matan' (gift) and 'Yah' (a shortened form of Yahweh, the God of Israel). Together, it means 'gift of God' or 'gift of Yahweh'. This is the name as it appears in Hebrew scripture for Mattityahu the Maccabee, the priestly father whose rebellion against Antiochus IV sparked the Hanukkah story.
What is the origin of the name Mattisyahu?
Mattisyahu has Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli origins. In Hebrew, it means "gift of Yahweh, gift of God". In Hebrew, it means "God's blessing".
Is Mattisyahu a boy or girl name?
Mattisyahu is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Mattisyahu?
Mattisyahu is currently ranked #5555 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mattisyahu?
Common nicknames for Mattisyahu include Matti, Matt, Yahu, and Tis.
What are good middle names for Mattisyahu?
Popular middle name pairings include Mattisyahu David, Mattisyahu Elijah, Mattisyahu Aaron, Mattisyahu Levi, Mattisyahu Solomon, Mattisyahu Isaac, and Mattisyahu Moshe.
What are good sibling names for Mattisyahu?
Names that pair well with Mattisyahu as siblings include Eliezer, Yehuda, Rivka, Miriam, Devorah, Shmuel, and Avigail.
How many syllables does Mattisyahu have?
Mattisyahu has 5 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Mattisyahu a common or rare name?
Mattisyahu is an uncommon name, ranked #5555 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Mattisyahu
Mattisyahu is a boy name with Jewish, Hebrew, and Israeli origins . The name means "gift of Yahweh, gift of God" in Hebrew .
Mattisyahu is currently ranked #5,555 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Mattisyahu has 5 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Mattisyahu include Matti, Matt, Yahu, and Tis. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Mattisyahu include Matthew, Matteo, Matthias, Mattias, Matt . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.