Matthew
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Gift of God — blessed and purposefully given
Origin: Hebrew Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ) — from mattan (gift) + Yah (God)
Popularity: Ranked #32 in 2025 with 7,003 babies born.
History: Matthew was the apostle and tax collector who became one of Jesus's twelve disciples and wrote the first Gospel of the New Testament. The name was popular in medieval England and has been a U.S. top-10 fixture from the 1960s through the 2000s — one of the longest sustained runs of any name in American history. Matthew McConaughey, Matt Damon, and Matthew Perry are among its famous modern bearers. Matt is one of the most natural, no-fuss nicknames in the American repertoire.
Famous people named Matthew: Matthew McConaughey (actor), Matthew Perry (actor), Matthew Broderick (actor)
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Matthew? About 1 in 475 babies born in 2025 were named Matthew, or roughly 19.2 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Matthew
What does the name Matthew mean?
Matthew means “Gift of God — blessed and purposefully given” from Hebrew Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ) — from mattan (gift) + Yah (God) roots.
What is the origin of the name Matthew?
Matthew has Hebrew Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ) — from mattan (gift) + Yah (God) origin. The traditional meaning is “Gift of God — blessed and purposefully given”.
How popular is Matthew?
Matthew ranked #32 in 2025 — given to 7,003 babies that year.
When was Matthew most popular?
Matthew peaked in 1983 with 50,208 babies registered that year.
Is Matthew a boy or girl name?
Matthew is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Matthews in registered births are male.
Is the name Matthew rising or falling in popularity?
Matthew has risen 12110 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #12142 in 2020 to #32 in 2025.
How long has Matthew been recorded?
Matthew appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.