Mats — Dog Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
Mats (MAHTS), 1 syllable — A variant of the name Matthew, meaning 'gift of God'.. Verified by the Pets In The City editorial team, with real popularity data from our Auckland community.
Last updated:
What does Mats mean?
Scandinavian: A variant of the name Matthew, meaning 'gift of God'.. Mats is a Scandinavian variant of the name Matthew, which means 'gift of God'. It is commonly used in Nordic countries.
Our editors checked this meaning before publishing. Names with several genuine origins are shown as separate senses rather than a single claim.
Is Mats a good dog name?
Mats has not been formally rated for calling yet. As a rule of thumb, one or two clear syllables work best for recall. With 1 syllable, it is quick to say — a practical length for recall.
Before you commit, say it out loud a few times and check it does not clash with a household name or a training cue like "sit" or "no".
Mats popularity in the Pets In The City community
Mats is uncommon in our community — fewer than 5 dogs share it, so we do not publish exact counts. If you want a name few dogs answer to at the park, that is a point in its favour.
Popularity comes from anonymised, aggregated records of dogs at our 5 Auckland centres. It reflects our community, not a national census.
What kind of dog does Mats suit?
It is most often used for boy dogs in our community. Owners often pick Mats for its classic, human name feel. Treat these as suggestions — plenty of dogs happily wear names that break every rule.
Welcome, Mats!
Our entirely unscientific pack opinion.
They say Mats means 'gift of God', but I hope he comes with a return policy—I've been dreaming of a tennis ball that fetches itself!
Names similar to Mats
- Ab — Short form of Abraham, meaning 'father of many' in Hebrew.
- Alfie — A warm pet form of Alfred, "wise counsellor".
- Andrae — A variant of Andrew, meaning 'manly' or 'brave'.
- Andrue — Variant of Andrew, meaning 'manly' or 'brave'.
- Anne — Means 'grace' in Hebrew.
- Annie — A warm pet form of Anne, "grace".
- Archie — A friendly form of Archibald, "genuinely bold".
- Augie — Diminutive of Augustus, meaning 'great' or 'magnificent'.
Collections featuring Mats
See all curated collections.
Like Mats? Find names that fit your dog
The Dog Name Matchmaker learns your taste and picks eight names that suit your dog's character — each with a reason it fits.
Naming a new puppy?
A great name is step one. Step two is a great start: our force-free puppy training classes build confidence and recall (that new name gets a workout). New to Pets In The City? Register your dog for a temperament assessment and meet the pack.
By the numbers
- 1 syllable — quick to call
- Meaning and pronunciation verified by our editors
- Data from 5 Auckland Pets In The City centres
Find names like Mats Browse all names A–Z
Our Services
Our 5 Auckland Locations
About & Help
Pets In The City — Auckland's premier pet care since 2006, with 5 Auckland locations open 7 days. Email hello@petsinthecity.co.nz.