Matthäus

Matthäus is a German male given name. It is the German form of Matthew and is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, traditionally interpreted as “gift of Yahweh” or “gift of God.” The form is common in German-speaking countries and is related to variant names such as Matthias and Matthaeus.

In Christian tradition, Matthäus is the name of Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles and the traditionally attributed author of the Gospel according to Matthew. He is a significant figure in both Catholic and Protestant histories, with his feast day commonly celebrated on September 21 in Western calendars.

The name Matthäus is used primarily in German-speaking cultures and appears in historical and contemporary contexts. It is also encountered in academic, artistic, and sporting fields, often carried by individuals who contribute to various European traditions and disciplines. The spelling with the umlaut (Matthäus) reflects German orthography, while the form Matthew is used in English-speaking contexts and other languages.

Notable people associated with the name include Lothar Matthäus (born 1961), a German footballer who captained the 1990 World Cup-winning team and later became a prominent television and sports figure. Another historical bearer is Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593–1650), a Swiss-born engraver and publisher influential in early modern printmaking. The surname Matthäus is also found, as in Lothar Matthäus, illustrating the name’s versatility across given-name and surname usage.