Matthew Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Matthew Name Meaning

Fact: It was a top 50 baby name in the United States for nearly six decades, often making it into the top 10 from the 1970s through the early 2000s.

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A Deep Dive

Matthew Overview

Meaning

Gift of God, gift of Yahweh

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name “Mattityahu,” meaning “gift of Yahweh,” which was shortened in Greek to “Matthaios” before becoming Matthew in English.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈmæθ.juː/

Popularity

Matthew is widely popular globally, particularly in English-speaking countries. In the USA, it was ranked 32th in popularity for boys’ names in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Religious and Spiritual, Cute

Associated Traits

Generosity, sincerity, a strong sense of duty​

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

This name is associated with Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and the author of the first Gospel in the New Testament, which details the life and teachings of Jesus.

Name Day

September 21st, November 16th
A Deep Dive

Matthew Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Mateo, Matteo, Mathias, Mads, Matthieu, Matias, Máté, Mathew

Common Nicknames

Matty, Matt, Mateo, Matty Ice, M&M, Matty Cakes, Matty Moo, Matty Bear, Matty Poo, Matchstick, Mattchu, Mattrick, Matta, Matty Watty, Mattykins

Diminutives

Matt, Matty, Mat, Mats, Matty Ice

Famous People

  • Matthew McConaughey
    (American Actor)
  • Matthew Perry
    (American-Canadian Actor)
  • Matthew Broderick
    (American Actor)
  • Matthew Gray Gubler
    (American Actor)
  • Matthew Bellamy
    (British Musician)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Matthew Perry
    ("Friends," TV Series)
  • Matthew McConaughey
    ("Interstellar," Film)

What Is the Meaning of Matthew?

The name Matthew means “gift of God” or “gift of Yahweh.” People with this name are often seen as personable and approachable, qualities that may stem from the name’s warm, positive connotations​.

What Is the Origin of The Name Matthew?

Matthew has its origins in Hebrew, derived from “Mattityahu.” The name entered the English language via the Greek form “Matthaios.” It gained popularity through its biblical association with one of the apostles, who also authored the first book of the New Testament.

Matthew Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Matthew in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#362021#392022#322023
Top 3 Rankings#21995#21996#31981

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Matthew

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202332
(+7 from 2022)
7190
(+133 from 2022)
0.39265
202239
(-3 from 2021)
7057
(-410 from 2021)
0.37678
202136
(-6 from 2020)
7467
(-664 from 2020)
0.39854
202030
(-7 from 2019)
8131
(-1132 from 2019)
0.43959
201923
(-3 from 2018)
9263
(-736 from 2018)
0.48200
201820
(-4 from 2017)
9999
(-1728 from 2017)
0.51442
201716
(-1 from 2016)
11727
(-934 from 2016)
0.59254
201615
No change from 2015
12661
(-117 from 2015)
0.62504
201515
(+1 from 2014)
12778
(-159 from 2014)
0.62501
201416
(-1 from 2013)
12937
(-422 from 2013)
0.63131
201315
(-3 from 2012)
13359
(-630 from 2012)
0.66111
201212
No change from 2011
13989
(-187 from 2011)
0.68939
201112
(+4 from 2010)
14176
(+31 from 2010)
0.69784
201016
(-3 from 2009)
14145
(-1857 from 2009)
0.68852
200913
(-3 from 2008)
16002
(-1596 from 2008)
0.75449
200810
(-1 from 2007)
17598
(-1153 from 2007)
0.80709
20079
(-4 from 2006)
18751
(-1586 from 2006)
0.84652
20065
(-1 from 2005)
20337
(-1143 from 2005)
0.92763
20054
No change from 2004
21480
(-1402 from 2004)
1.00971
20044
No change from 2003
22882
(-1128 from 2003)
1.08273
20034
No change from 2002
24010
(-1144 from 2002)
1.14270
20024
(-1 from 2001)
25154
(-1658 from 2001)
1.21713
20013
No change from 2000
26812
(-1767 from 2000)
1.29626
20003
No change from 1999
28579
(-1839 from 1999)
1.36851
19993
No change from 1998
30418
(-726 from 1998)
1.49181
19983
No change from 1997
31144
(-373 from 1997)
1.53597
19973
(-1 from 1996)
31517
(-559 from 1996)
1.57760
19962
No change from 1995
32076
(-802 from 1995)
1.60082
19952
(+1 from 1994)
32878
(-773 from 1994)
1.63461
19943
No change from 1993
33651
(-2127 from 1993)
1.65089
19933
No change from 1992
35778
(-1955 from 1992)
1.73216
19923
No change from 1991
37733
(-3910 from 1991)
1.79752
19913
No change from 1990
41643
(-3171 from 1990)
1.96458
19903
No change from 1989
44814
(-561 from 1989)
2.08241
19893
No change from 1988
45375
(-498 from 1988)
2.16486
19883
No change from 1987
45873
(-633 from 1987)
2.29105
19873
No change from 1986
46506
(-421 from 1986)
2.38467
19863
No change from 1985
46927
(-152 from 1985)
2.44197
19853
No change from 1984
47079
(-2694 from 1984)
2.44641
19843
No change from 1983
49773
(-437 from 1983)
2.65215
19833
No change from 1982
50210
(+4160 from 1982)
2.69427
19823
No change from 1981
46050
(+2724 from 1981)
2.44015
19813
(+3 from 1980)
43326
(+5487 from 1980)
2.32638
19806
No change from 1979
37839
(+2214 from 1979)
2.04010
19796
No change from 1978
35625
(+1339 from 1978)
1.98876
19786
(+3 from 1977)
34286
(+2321 from 1977)
2.00666
19779
No change from 1976
31965
(+2014 from 1976)
1.87000
19769
No change from 1975
29951
(+1419 from 1975)
1.83457
19759
No change from 1974
28532
(+1331 from 1974)
1.75863
19749
(+1 from 1973)
27201
(+2666 from 1973)
1.66852
197310
No change from 1972
24535
(+1601 from 1972)
1.52048
197210
(+9 from 1971)
22934
(+393 from 1971)
1.36997
197119
(+5 from 1970)
22541
(+2353 from 1970)
1.23997
197024
No change from 1969
20188
(+2724 from 1969)
1.05986
196924
No change from 1968
17464
(+1639 from 1968)
0.95475
196824
(+4 from 1967)
15825
(+2256 from 1967)
0.89133
196728
(+6 from 1966)
13569
(+2765 from 1966)
0.76255
196634
(+2 from 1965)
10804
(+820 from 1965)
0.59440
196536
(+7 from 1964)
9984
(+1001 from 1964)
0.52697
196443
(+7 from 1963)
8983
(+949 from 1963)
0.44316
196350
(+6 from 1962)
8034
(+753 from 1962)
0.38912
196256
(+3 from 1961)
7281
(+204 from 1961)
0.34644
196159
(+2 from 1960)
7077
(+151 from 1960)
0.32810
196061
(+2 from 1959)
6926
(+385 from 1959)
0.31986
195963
(-3 from 1958)
6541
(+166 from 1958)
0.30192
195860
(+22 from 1957)
6375
(+1138 from 1957)
0.29584
195782
(+8 from 1956)
5237
(+873 from 1956)
0.23925
195690
(+15 from 1955)
4364
(+1085 from 1955)
0.20333
1955105
(+19 from 1954)
3279
(+591 from 1954)
0.15687
1954124
(+6 from 1953)
2688
(+314 from 1953)
0.12991
1953130
(+12 from 1952)
2374
(+342 from 1952)
0.11857
1952142
(+21 from 1951)
2032
(+429 from 1951)
0.10298
1951163
(+11 from 1950)
1603
(+303 from 1950)
0.08385
1950174
(+3 from 1949)
1300
(+81 from 1949)
0.07148
1949177
(+13 from 1948)
1219
(+165 from 1948)
0.06765
1948190
(+6 from 1947)
1054
(+8 from 1947)
0.05912
1947196
(-2 from 1946)
1046
(+155 from 1946)
0.05631
1946194
(+4 from 1945)
891
(+161 from 1945)
0.05399
1945198
(-3 from 1944)
730
(-35 from 1944)
0.05323
1944195
(+2 from 1943)
765
(-57 from 1943)
0.05507
1943197
(-9 from 1942)
822
(-20 from 1942)
0.05651
1942188
(+10 from 1941)
842
(+115 from 1941)
0.05979
1941198
No change from 1940
727
(+63 from 1940)
0.05793
1940198
(+3 from 1939)
664
(+42 from 1939)
0.05598
1939201
(+4 from 1938)
622
(+15 from 1938)
0.05488
1938205
(-4 from 1937)
607
(+1 from 1937)
0.05341
1937201
(+1 from 1936)
606
(-2 from 1936)
0.05541
1936202
(-7 from 1935)
608
(-46 from 1935)
0.05713
1935195
(+7 from 1934)
654
(+44 from 1934)
0.06114
1934202
(-1 from 1933)
610
(+29 from 1933)
0.05744
1933201
(-13 from 1932)
581
(-121 from 1932)
0.05695
1932188
(+20 from 1931)
702
(+94 from 1931)
0.06534
1931208
(-4 from 1930)
608
(-49 from 1930)
0.05683
1930204
(-15 from 1929)
657
(-70 from 1929)
0.05817
1929189
(-7 from 1928)
727
(-57 from 1928)
0.06564
1928182
(+1 from 1927)
784
(-6 from 1927)
0.06870
1927183
(+2 from 1926)
790
(+13 from 1926)
0.06799
1926185
(-11 from 1925)
777
(-63 from 1925)
0.06783
1925174
(-3 from 1924)
840
(-10 from 1924)
0.07295
1924171
(-8 from 1923)
850
(-85 from 1923)
0.07271
1923163
(-4 from 1922)
935
(-47 from 1922)
0.08258
1922159
(+2 from 1921)
982
(+68 from 1921)
0.08727
1921161
(-10 from 1920)
914
(-53 from 1920)
0.08032
1920151
(+1 from 1919)
967
(+88 from 1919)
0.08785
1919152
(-4 from 1918)
879
(-84 from 1918)
0.08657
1918148
(+1 from 1917)
963
(+101 from 1917)
0.09183
1917149
(-1 from 1916)
862
(+37 from 1916)
0.08986
1916148
(+2 from 1915)
825
(+27 from 1915)
0.08936
1915150
(+1 from 1914)
798
(+185 from 1914)
0.09059
1914151
No change from 1913
613
(+122 from 1913)
0.08971
1913151
(+5 from 1912)
491
(+111 from 1912)
0.09156
1912156
(-4 from 1911)
380
(+160 from 1911)
0.08417
1911152
(+6 from 1910)
220
(+23 from 1910)
0.09114
1910158
(+8 from 1909)
197
(+50 from 1909)
0.09448
1909166
(-11 from 1908)
147
(-5 from 1908)
0.08312
1908155
(+19 from 1907)
152
(+28 from 1907)
0.09136
1907174
(-24 from 1906)
124
(-12 from 1906)
0.07819
1906150
(+27 from 1905)
136
(+29 from 1905)
0.09440
1905177
(+8 from 1904)
107
(+10 from 1904)
0.07470
1904185
(-19 from 1903)
97
(-5 from 1903)
0.07003
1903166
(+1 from 1902)
102
(-2 from 1902)
0.07887
1902167
No change from 1901
104
(+15 from 1901)
0.07834
1901167
(-6 from 1900)
89
(-41 from 1900)
0.07699
1900161
(-11 from 1899)
130
(+29 from 1899)
0.08019
1899150
(-15 from 1898)
101
(-32 from 1898)
0.08768
1898135
(+21 from 1897)
133
(+33 from 1897)
0.10068
1897156
(-20 from 1896)
100
(-23 from 1896)
0.08201
1896136
(+3 from 1895)
123
(+11 from 1895)
0.09530
1895139
(-8 from 1894)
112
(-12 from 1894)
0.08844
1894131
(+7 from 1893)
124
(+16 from 1893)
0.09929
1893138
(-10 from 1892)
108
(-24 from 1892)
0.08923
1892128
(-6 from 1891)
132
(+19 from 1891)
0.10042
1891122
(+42 from 1890)
113
(+27 from 1890)
0.10342
1890164
(-46 from 1889)
86
(-32 from 1889)
0.07185
1889118
(+18 from 1888)
118
(+4 from 1888)
0.09913
1888136
(-13 from 1887)
114
(+6 from 1887)
0.08776
1887123
No change from 1886
108
(-4 from 1886)
0.09880
1886123
No change from 1885
112
(+1 from 1885)
0.09409
1885123
No change from 1884
111
(-6 from 1884)
0.09574
1884123
(+29 from 1883)
117
(+31 from 1883)
0.09533
1883152
(-25 from 1882)
86
(-23 from 1882)
0.07646
1882127
(+27 from 1881)
109
(+29 from 1881)
0.08932
1881154
(-38 from 1880)
80
(-33 from 1880)
0.07389
1880116
First SSA data recorded
113
First SSA data recorded
0.09544

American States Popularity Rankings for Matthew

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#172021#232022#192023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#182021#212022#162023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#272021#272022#252023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#382021#362022#282023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#552021#692022#542023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#382021#542022#452023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#562021#482022#472023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#132021#162022#92023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#152021#152022#122023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#322021#282022#362023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#462021#562022#382023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#472021#612022#512023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#362021#452022#402023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#412021#672022#432023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#682021#742022#512023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#822021#592022#762023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#882021#882022#732023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#442021#292022#392023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#572021#542022#532023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#492021#422022#442023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#322021#472022#252023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#632021#672022#372023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#532021#552022#582023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#582021#602022#532023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#922021#782022#1092023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#532021#422022#432023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#562021#602022#342023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#652021#532022#442023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#512021#382022#452023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#692021#762022#572023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#772021#812022#572023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#552021#702022#672023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#832021#942022#1162023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#822021#552022#482023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#632021#1002022#922023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#462021#782022#512023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#572021#322022#432023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#582021#432022#352023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1192021#1272022#1462023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#412021#472022#662023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#192021#302022#252023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#622021#512022#312023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#782021#512022#662023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#382021#492022#612023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2712021#802022#462023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#902021#632022#622023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1032021#702022#1162023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#652021#1262022#462023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#492019#532020#792021

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#242021#392022#562023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#502019#1022020#262021

Popularity Rankings for Matthew in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Philippines

Philippines flagPhilippines#92021#102022

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#222021#362022#382023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#342021#312022#572023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#382018#492019#332020

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#372021#422022#402023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#452021#622022#792023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#522021#522022#642023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#862021#972022#852023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1052021#852022#992023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#992019#1142020#1232021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1722020#1592021#1982022

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1862002#1712013#1782020

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4052019#3382021#4462023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4202015#3882018#4042023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4472011

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4582020#5502021#5402022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#7112022#4792023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Matthew a Name for Boys or Girls?

Matthew is traditionally a masculine name and has been widely used for boys in many English-speaking countries. However, variations of the name, such as Mattie or Mattea, have been used for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Matthew

Matthew in Famous People Names and Pop Culture

  • Matthew McConaughey (Actor, born 1969): An American actor known for his roles in films like "Dallas Buyers Club" and "Interstellar". He won an Academy Award for his role in the former.
  • Matthew Perry (Actor, 1969-2023): An American-Canadian actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the television sitcom "Friends". He was also involved in films and other TV shows during his career.
  • Matthew Broderick (Actor, born 1962): An American actor famous for his role in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and the voice of Simba in Disney's "The Lion King".
  • Matthew Gray Gubler (Actor, born 1980): An American actor known for his role as Dr. Spencer Reid in the TV series "Criminal Minds".
  • Matthew Bellamy (Musician, born 1978): The lead vocalist, guitarist, and pianist for the rock band Muse, known for his expansive use of music technology and piano skills in performances.
  • Matthew Lewis (Actor, born 1989): A British actor renowned for playing Neville Longbottom in the "Harry Potter" film series.
  • Matthew Macfadyen (Actor, born 1974): An English actor known for his role as Mr. Darcy in "Pride & Prejudice" and for his television work in "Ripper Street" and "Succession".
  • Matthew Fox (Actor, born 1966): An American actor best known for his roles in the TV series "Lost" and "Party of Five".
  • Matthew Perry ("Friends," 1994 TV Series): Portrays Chandler Bing, known for his wit and sarcasm in the popular TV show "Friends."
  • Matthew McConaughey ("Interstellar," 2014 Film): Plays Cooper, a pilot on a vital space mission to find a new home for humanity in the movie "Interstellar."

Similar Names to Matthew

  • Matheo
  • Mathis
  • Mather
  • Matheus
  • Matisse
  • Matheo
  • Matteus
  • Matis
  • Matvey
  • Mato

Sibling Names for Matthew

Parents Who Like the Name Matthew Also Like

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Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

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