Matthew Name Meaning

Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Matthew.

The name Matthew stems from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, which means "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of God." The meaning of Matthew is "gift," though there are those who say the name means "gift of God" or even "gift from God" following its Hebrew origins.

Whatever the translation, it is a name with strong biblical origins, as Matthew was one of Jesus's apostles and one of the writers of the New Testament.



  • Origin: Matthew is a name inspired by the Greek name Matthaios, which is itself a variation of the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning “gift of Yahweh.”

  • Gender: Matthew is usually a boy's name.

  • Pronunciation: MATH-yoo (English)





Editor's Note

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.



<p>Willie B. Thomas / Getty Images</p>

Willie B. Thomas / Getty Images

How Popular Is the Name Matthew?

Matthew is one of those names that seems as though it will never diminish in popularity. In fact, it’s held a spot in the top 50 baby names in the United States for nearly six decades now. The name even had a streak of dominating the top 10 baby names from the 1970s through the early 2000s.

In 2022, the name Matthew came in as the 39th most popular baby boy name in the United States.

Name Variations

Here are some other variations of the name Matthew:

  • Mathew

  • Matthias

  • Mattew

Similar Names

Other consistently popular boy’s names include:

  • Christopher

  • Daniel

  • James

  • John

  • Michael

  • William

Other boy’s names that start with "M" include:

  • Maddox

  • Malachi

  • Mark

  • Matteo

  • Max

  • Miles

Common Nicknames for Matthew

Love the name Matthew but also want a good nickname for your baby? Here are some ideas:

  • Matt, Mat: A very common nickname that paints the picture of an active and masculine person

  • Matty: For a nickname with a little more fun, Matty is a great nickname for your young Matthew.

  • Mato: Another fun nickname that could be used for both kids and adults.

Suggested Sibling Names

Names that go well with Matthew include:

  • Emma

  • James

  • Maria

  • Mary

  • Michael

  • Mitch

  • Oliva

  • Robert

Famous People Named Matthew

There have been a number of famous Matthews, some of whom include:

  • Matt Bellamy, British singer, songwriter, and music producer

  • Matthew Broderick, American actor

  • Matt Damon, American actor and movie producer

  • Matt Dillon, American actor

  • Matt Holliday, retired American professional baseball player

  • Matthew Lillard, American actor

  • Matthew McConaughey, American actor

  • Matthew Perry, Canadian-American actor

  • Matt Groening, American cartoonist, writer, producer, and animator



More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:



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Read the original article on Parents.