Matthew
Matthew Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
MATH-yoo
Meaning of Matthew: Matthew traces back to the Hebrew Mattityahu, a compound of mattath meaning gift and Yahu, the shortened divine name.
The apostle Matthew served as a tax collector in Capernaum before Jesus called him to discipleship, according to the Gospel bearing his name. Early church tradition credits him with authoring the first book of the New Testament, making the name a pillar of Christian onomastics.
Norman conquerors carried the form Mathieu to England after 1066, where Anglo-Saxon speakers reshaped it into Matthew. Medieval English parents favored the name because it honored both the apostle and a growing number of saints, including Matthew of Beauvais and Matthew Paris the 13th-century chronicler.
What Does Matthew Mean? Origin & Etymology
Per US Social Security Administration records, Matthew held a position inside the US top 10 every year from 1977 through 2005, an unbroken 29-year run. The name peaked at rank two in 1983, 1990, and 1994 and hit 45,800 births in 1990.
As of 2024, Matthew holds rank 33 with 7,078 US births, steadily descending from its late 20th-century dominance. The name remains a top 50 option across Ireland, Australia, Canada, and Scotland, while Matteo has become the more fashionable Italian sibling among American parents.
Variants across languages include Italian Matteo, Spanish Mateo, French Mathieu, German Matthias, Portuguese Mateus, Polish Mateusz, and Russian Matvei. Notably, the short forms Matt and Matty give the name casual flexibility, explaining why Matthew transitioned smoothly from Sunday school rosters into 21st-century professional life.
How Popular Is Matthew?
Numerology & Symbolism of Matthew
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Matthew – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Matthew
What does Matthew mean?
Matthew means gift of God, from Hebrew Mattityahu (mattan = gift, Yah = Yahweh). The apostle Matthew was a tax collector transformed by Jesus’s call. His Gospel opens the New Testament.
What is the origin of Matthew?
Matthew derives from Hebrew Mattityahu. The apostle Matthew authored the first canonical Gospel, spreading the name across Christendom. Matthew ranked in the US top 10 from 1972 to 2009.
How popular is Matthew in the US?
Matthew ranks 33 for boys in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It ranked in the US top 10 from 1972 to 2009 and peaked at rank 3 in 1995. Matthew has ranked in the top 40 since 1880.
What are variants of Matthew?
Is Matthew more popular for girls or boys?
Matthew is given predominantly to boys. It ranks 33 for boys in the US in 2024. The feminine form Mattea is rare in English. Matilda shares a similar Germanic root but is a distinct name.
Matthew – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Matt | English short form |
| Mathieu | French |
| Matthias | German/Greek |
| Matteo | Italian |
| Mateusz | Polish |
| Mateus | Portuguese |
| Matvei | Russian |
| Mateo | Spanish |