Mat

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Mat

Pronounced MAT /ˈmæt/High

Meaning: Mat is a clipped form of Matthew (or Mathias), from the Hebrew Mattityahu, 'gift of Yahweh'. The single-t spelling is the older, plainer rendering of the more common Matt; used on its own as a birth name it reads as a short form standing in for the full name, which lowers confidence in it as an independent coinage.Low

In 30 seconds: Mat is a short form of Matthew, from Hebrew Mattityahu meaning gift of Yahweh. It was a rare stand-alone name across the last century (said MAT).

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Origin LowHebrew, English

MeaningMat is a clipped form of Matthew (or Mathias), from the Hebrew Mattityahu, 'gift of Yahweh'. The single-t spelling is the older, plainer rendering of the more common Matt; used on its own as a birth name it reads as a short form standing in for the full name, which lowers confidence in it as an independent coinage.

U.S. rank (2010)#11690 ↘ Falling

2010 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1917

Total births (all-time)≈ 789

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mat is the pared-down spelling of Matt, the everyday short form of Matthew, from the Hebrew for 'gift of God'. Recorded on its own as a birth name from the late 1800s onward, it was never common, given to only a couple dozen boys a year and often standing in for the full Matthew or Mathias.

Because it works chiefly as a nickname, Mat reads less as a chosen formal name than as a familiar short form set down on paper. Parents who love the sound almost always register Matthew and simply call him Matt or Mat day to day.

Did you know? The name behind Mat, Matthew, was borne by the tax collector who became one of the twelve apostles and the traditional author of the first Gospel.

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Mat — Short form of Matthew/Mathias; Hebrew Mattityahu 'gift of God'

Variations

MattMatthewMathias

Nicknames

MattyMatt

Famous Bearers

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If you like Mat…

Matthew— the full parent name

Matteo— a like Matthew relative

Mathias— another parent form of Mat

Nate— a comparable short biblical boy's name

Explore names like Mat

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mat mean?

It is a short form of Matthew or Mathias, from the Hebrew Mattityahu, 'gift of Yahweh'.

How do you pronounce Mat?

It's said MAT /ˈmæt/, one syllable.

Is Mat a boy or girl name?

Mat is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Mat?

It was always rare on its own, a short form of Matthew given to only a couple dozen boys a year at most.