Matthijs is a Dutch male given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the name Matthias, which is a Latin form of the Greek name Ματθαῖος (Matthaios), itself a derivative of the Aramaic name מַתִּיָהוּ (Mattiyahu). The Aramaic name means "gift of Yahweh," with "Yahweh" being the name of the God of the Israelites.
The name Matthijs is particularly common in the Netherlands, where it has been popular for centuries. It was borne by several notable figures in Dutch history, including Matthijs Maris (1839-1917), a prominent painter of the Hague School, and Matthijs van Heiden (born 1964), a professional footballer who played for the Netherlands national team.
In English-speaking countries, the name Matthias is more commonly used, although Matthijs can also be found. It has been popular in recent years, perhaps due to its biblical associations - Saint Matthias was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and his feast day is celebrated on February 24th.
Overall, Matthijs is a strong, historic name with a clear meaning and origin that continues to be used today. Its Dutch roots give it a distinctive character, making it a popular choice for parents looking for something a little different from the more traditional English names.
Here are some statistics regarding the name Matthijs in the United States:
Each year from 2014 to 2019, there were a total of 8 babies named Matthijs in 2014 and 5 babies named Matthijs in 2019. This shows that the name remained somewhat consistent in popularity during this time period.
Overall, between these two years, there were a combined total of 13 babies named Matthijs born in the United States.