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Matas

Boy name · 20 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Matas: 20 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 2015.

Matas is a Lithuanian given name, a direct form of Matthew, which derives from the Hebrew Mattityahu meaning “gift of God.” In Scotland, where the name appears among babies born from the 1970s onward, it reflects growing multicultural influence. Notable bearers include Matas Buzelis, a promising Lithuanian-American basketball player, and Matas Šalčius, a pioneering Lithuanian explorer and writer of the early 20th century. The name does not have a direct place connection, but its root is shared with countless towns and churches dedicated to Saint Matthew across Europe. As a variant, Matas is also used in Latvian and relates to the more common English Matthew and Spanish Mateo, giving it a familiar yet distinctive feel for parents seeking a name with both Baltic heritage and universal Christian resonance.