Matthias m
New Testament Greek form of the Hebrew name Mattathia (see MATTHEW (SEE Matthew)), or rather of an Aramaic derivative. The Latin form of the name is Matthaeus. In English the form Matthias is used in the Authorized Version of the New Testament to distinguish the disciple who was chosen after the treachery of Judas to make up the twelve (Acts 1: 23–26) from the evangelist Matthew. However, this distinction is not observed in other languages, where Matthias (or a version of it) is often a learned doublet existing alongside a vernacular derivative.
Variant: Mathias.
First names dictionary. 2012.