Message: "Matthias?" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Matthias?

by Amphelise (Chrisell)

1/12/2013, 10:11 AM

I've recently been warming to this name as it's popped up while I've been doing genealogical research. I've been pursuing the line of my own surname, and have come across several members of the family tree with this name. My 8x great-grandfather was a Matthias, and three of my other many-greats grandfathers had brothers named Matthias.

I don't like it pronounced the German way (mah-TEE-ahs), which was the only way I knew until recently. I like the English pronunciation, the one my ancestors would have used, mə-THIE-əs (rhymes with Tobias).

What do you think of Matthias?

#Matthias

Replies

- Anneza

1/14/2013, 1:36 AM

Much more energetic than flabby Matthew! I quite enjoy it, but not enough to use; of course, a family link can be significant - I've got mostly the good old John, Robert, Thomas, William ancestors.

- Ludwig (blaaarg)

1/13/2013, 4:40 PM

I had this huge terrifying viola teacher named Matthias so I'm terrified of this name. Prn the german way, anyway. I hate names that rhyme with Tobias... the new-old testament thing wears me out. But it is definitely cooler than Tobias and Matthew and like.. Isaiah and Elijah and stuff.

- Julia (JuliaF)

1/13/2013, 4:29 PM

I love it and like you, I much prefer the English pronunciation. I really, really hate Matt, though, so it's not on my list.

- Billina

1/13/2013, 7:47 AM

I like it. I think it's a solid name that ages well. It would go well with Daniel.

- Link

1/12/2013, 9:07 PM

Lovely! Strong, elegant, ages well.

- Tassiegirl

1/12/2013, 6:55 PM

I like it. The pronounciation you give, though, the English one.
Wouldn't work where I live, it would be Mah-TIE-ahs;the French-speaking, even those whose English is very good, have much difficulity with the "th" sound.

It's nice that it's a family name.

I think the most frequently occuring name in my family, at least the paternal side, is John. Not very original, but time tested!

- Aine (poetic_freedom)

1/12/2013, 3:59 PM

I adore Matthias- it would definitely be a name I'd consider *if* I thought it was possible to avoid the nn Matt. In my family, there is no way it would be avoided, I think. I would consider it for a mn though. I fell in love with the name when I was a kid reading the Redwall books by Brian Jacques. Matthias was one of my favourite characters :)

I pronounce it the same way as you, by the way.

- Gracie (YMPvt)

1/12/2013, 12:24 PM

I really like Matthias. I have a soft spot for -ias names, and this in particular.

- Alcyone +1

1/12/2013, 11:56 AM

Matthias is handsome when it's pronounced mə-THIE-əs. I dislike the nickname Matt, but he wouldn't necessarily have to be called that.

- Amphelise (Chrisell)

1/12/2013, 12:24 PM

He definitely wouldn't be Matt, as my wife's brother is a Matt :)

- Cristi-es

1/12/2013, 11:26 AM

I actually prefer the German pr. Love the name. :)

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