Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Matthew
BoyHebrew, Greek· “gift of Yahweh”
- Meaning
- gift of Yahweh
- Origin
- Hebrew, Greek
- Pronunciation
- MATH-yoo
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #32
- US babies 2025
- 7,003
- Best rank
- #2 (1995)
- Peak year
- 1983
Meaning and origin of Matthew
Matthew is a Hebrew and Greek name that means “gift of Yahweh”.
Matthew is the English form of Matthaios, the Greek rendering of the Hebrew Mattityahu, "gift of Yahweh". In the New Testament, Matthew is a tax collector who becomes one of Jesus's twelve apostles, and Christian tradition credits him with the first Gospel. As Saint Matthew he has been venerated since early Christian times, which carried the name into nearly every European language, with forms such as Mateo, Matteo and Mathieu, and the related Matthias. In English it has been common since the Middle Ages and remains a dependable classic. Matthew feels friendly and steady, and Matt and Matty are the usual nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Mathew, Mathieu.
Popularity over time
Matthew has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #2 in 1995, and the most babies received it in 1983, when 50,209 were named Matthew. In 2025, 7,003 babies were named Matthew, and it ranked #32 nationally. That is 45% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #152 in 1920, #174 in 1950, #6 in 1980, #3 in 2000, #16 in 2010, and #32 in 2025. Of the 1,654,075 US boys named Matthew since records began, 28% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 351,682 babies. Since 2010, 169,153 more have been named Matthew.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Christopher and Adam.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Matthew ranked highest in Florida, New York, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #10 | 658 |
| New York | #17 | 520 |
| New Jersey | #20 | 253 |
| Texas | #22 | 890 |
| California | #23 | 996 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Matthew is usually pronounced MATH-yoo, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-ew”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Mathew and Mathieu.
Middle names for Matthew
A few middle names that flow with Matthew: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Matthew
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Lists that include Matthew
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Matthew mean?
Matthew is a Hebrew and Greek name that means “gift of Yahweh”.
What is the origin of the name Matthew?
Matthew has Hebrew and Greek roots. Matthew is the English form of Matthaios, the Greek rendering of the Hebrew Mattityahu, "gift of Yahweh".
Is Matthew a popular name?
Yes. Matthew ranked #32 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Matthew a boy or girl name?
Matthew is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Matthew?
Matthew is usually pronounced MATH-yoo. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings