Matthew is an English masculine name of Hebrew origin that means “gift of the Lord”, though it is also used as an anglicisation of an Irish name meaning “bear”. Parents exploring baby name meanings and origins frequently encounter it as a classic choice with deep traditional roots. It represents a long-standing favorite for families seeking an established name that carries centuries of cultural heritage.
The name has been widely used throughout English-speaking countries for generations. Its enduring prominence stems from its biblical background and its straightforward, friendly sound.
Matthew Meaning and Origin
Matthew is an English language masculine given name of biblical origin. It ultimately derives from the Hebrew name מַתִּתְיָהוּ (Matityahu), which literally translates to “gift of the Lord”. The name is also connected to the Aramaic form מַתַּי (mattay).
During antiquity, the Hebrew name מַתִּתְיָהוּ was transliterated into Greek as Ματταθίας (Mattathias). Over time, that Greek form was superseded by Ματθαῖος (Matthaios). The Latin language adopted this as Matthaeus, which later developed into Old French Mathieu and the earlier English form Matheu before settling into the modern English spelling Matthew. Because of this shared heritage, Matthew is a linguistic doublet of Mattathias.
The widespread adoption of the name is due to Matthew the Apostle. He was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the traditional author of the Gospel of Matthew. His prominence led to the broad distribution of the name through different languages and cultures over many centuries.
In addition to its Hebrew background, Matthew has served as an anglicisation of the Irish name Mathúin, which carries the meaning “bear”.
Pronunciation of Matthew
In standard English, Matthew is pronounced MATH-yoo. The name consists of two syllables with primary stress on the first syllable.
The first syllable rhymes with bath, and the second syllable rhymes with blue. Speakers pronounce both parts smoothly without pausing between the syllables.
Popularity in the United States
The name Matthew first appears in official Social Security Administration data in 1880, and it is most often given to boys. By 1950, it stood at rank 174 with 1,299 babies, before climbing rapidly into the top ten at rank 6 in 1980 with 37,834 babies. The name reached its peak rank of number 2 in 1995. It maintained its high standing in 2000 at rank 3 with 28,580 babies, then shifted to rank 16 in 2010 with 14,148 babies. More recent tallies show Matthew at rank 30 in 2020 with 8,142 babies, followed by its latest rank of number 32 in 2025 with 7,003 babies. In total, 1,654,075 US boys have received the name since 1880.
| Year | US rank (boys) | Babies named Matthew |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #174 | 1,299 |
| 1980 | #6 | 37,834 |
| 2000 | #3 | 28,580 |
| 2010 | #16 | 14,148 |
| 2020 | #30 | 8,142 |
| 2025 | #32 | 7,003 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames for Matthew
Common short forms of Matthew include Matt and Matty.
Other-language forms include Maitiú, which is the most common Irish form of the name. Anglo-Norman settlers in Ireland also used the borrowed forms Maiú and Maidiú.
Famous People Named Matthew
Several well-known figures in entertainment share the name Matthew:
- Matthew McConaughey, an American actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club and starred in Interstellar.
- Matthew Perry, an American and Canadian actor who gained international recognition for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends.
- Matthew Broderick, an American actor who earned fame for his lead performance in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and his stage work in The Producers.
Middle and Sibling Names for Matthew
Middle names that pair well with Matthew include James, Joseph, Alexander, Thomas, William, Benjamin, and Elijah.
Complementary sibling names include Daniel, Luke, Mark, Samuel, Sarah, Hannah, and John.
FAQ
Which Hebrew root words form the name Matthew?
The name Matthew forms from the ancient Hebrew root word מַתִּתְיָהוּ (Matityahu), meaning “gift of the Lord”, and relates to the Aramaic name מַתַּי (mattay). These roots passed into ancient Greek and Latin before evolving into the modern English spelling.
When did Matthew first enter the official United States count?
Matthew first entered the official United States count in 1880. That year began the formal tally for the name, where it has appeared consistently for baby boys ever since.
How does Matthew’s peak rank compare to its 2025 standing?
Matthew reached its highest peak at number 2 in 1995, whereas in 2025 it held the number 32 spot with 7,003 babies. This comparison highlights how the name occupied the near summit of boy names in the mid-1990s before easing into the top thirty-five three decades later.
