Mat
mat
A short, familiar nickname most often used for Matthew, meaning “gift of the Lord.”
Meaning
In the excerpts, Mat is given as the English nickname of Matthew, with the Hebrew sense “gift of the Lord” or “gift of Jehovah.” The sources also note that it could be used as a baptismal name and that the nickname sometimes crossed sexes in older English usage.
Origin
EnglishHebrewvaries by culture
Fun fact
One source notes that in older English usage, Mat could even be used for a woman, as a nickname that “changed sexes.”