Selecting a name for the baby, especially for the male child is one of the most essential and significant decisions that parents can ever make. When parents think of a name for their beloved son, they strive to select the name that sounds heavenly and also holds a significant meaning. You want a name that sounds well and rhymes well, don’t you? Well, Matthew might be the one perfect for you.
This name is not only easy to hear but also carries sacred and traditional values. In this article, we will explore the Matthew name meaning and origin, so you can better understand why this is the perfect choice for your baby boy.
Matthew Name Meaning
Matthew name meaning is derived from the Hebrew name Mattiyahu, which is of great significance and literally translated as “gift from God” or “God’s gift”. Matthew also describes the qualities of being sweet, caring, and good in sports, and many people loved him. People with this name are often genuinely kind and have a great preference for music. And that is why Matthew is one of the most prevalent nicknames for boys.
Origin
The meaning of the Matthew name is Hebrew and Scandinavian: Gift of God. The name is also of Greek origin, originating from Matthaios, which is actually a variant of Mattityahu of Hebrew origin. The male name of English origin, Matthew is associated with Christianity as one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and the writer of the first book of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew, which underlines his biblical background. his saint.
Gender
Matthew is a male given name but this name has muscular and enduring appeal that can be used for both male and female children.
Pronunciation
There are several common ways to pronounce Matthew:
- Math-Ew
- Math-Yoo
- Math-Thew
Syllables
Matthew consists of 2 syllables, so it is easy to pronounce and can be easily remembered.
Length/Letters
The name Matthew consists of 7 letters, striking a balance between simplicity and elegance.
Variations of the name Matthew and spellings
Although Matthew is primarily an English name, it has different meanings and variations across various cultures. Here are some common variations of the name Matthew, along with their origins:
| Name | Origin |
| Matthew | English, Hebrew, Scandinavia |
| Matheu | Old French |
| Matteo | Italian |
| Mateu | Catalan, Occitan |
| Mattathias | Greek |
| Matthias | Greek |
| Mateo | Spanish |
| Mattathyah | Hebrew |
| Mateus | Portuguese |
| Matthaeus | Late Latin |
Popularity of Matthew Name
The name Matthew has been on the decline over the years but is still within the top thirty names for boys in the United States. It was very popular from the 1980s to the early 2000s, with almost 14,000 baby boys being named this. According to the statistics, the name Matthew was on the list of the three most popular names for boys in 2000 and 2001. However, by the year 2020, its ranking had reduced to 30. The Social Security Administration records show that Matthew was most popular in the year 2001 and was among the top five names till 2006. And Matthew is also among the most frequently chosen black boy names. Since 2007, Matthew has been gradually sliding down the list to the 9th position in 2010 and the 16th position. It rose to 15th in 2013 and has not ranked in the top 10 since the period of 2011-2012. However, given the origin of the name Matthew in the Bible and its symbolism, it is possible that this name will experience a revival in the future.1
Level of Interest in Matthew – International
In the global context, the interest in the name Matthew has remained fairly stable over the course of the last ten years. It has a popularity index that has been usually below 25 and occasionally rising to 100 in October 2016. The lowest value was reported in July 2021 and it was equal to 11.2
Level of Interest in Matthew – US
Interest in the name Matthew has continued to be high in the United States of America in the last ten years. It was at 16 in March 2014 and has risen to a high of 100 in October 2016. The minimum score in the past decade was 9 recorded in August 2021.3
Where is the name Matthew most searched for?
In the case of Matthew name meaning, it has remained popular in different parts of the world and is still frequently searched for.
Level of Search Trends of Matthew – Worldwide
Analyzing the search trends of the name Matthew across the world, Jamaica has scored a perfect 100, which shows that the name has always been popular. The name moreover values significant prominence in the Joined United States, Australia, the UK, and Canada.
Level of Search Trends of Matthew – US
In the United States, the highest search interest is in South Carolina and the Locate of Columbia with 100 and 98 respectively. Other states that have a high search interest include North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. This has made Matthew widely used and popular in these regions due to the symbolic meaning of the name.
Nice Middle Name That Suits Matthew
It is crucial to select a middle name that will work well with Matthew while preserving the specialness of the name. Here are some combinations that pair well with Matthew:
| First Name | Middle Name |
| Matthew | Winston |
| Matthew | Albert |
| Matthew | Michael |
| Matthew | Christopher |
| Matthew | Hunter |
| Matthew | Alexander |
| Matthew | Elliott |
| Matthew | Maddox |
| Matthew | Todd |
| Matthew | Benjamin |
| Matthew | Adrian |
| Matthew | Bennett |
| Matthew | Cooper |
| Matthew | Lewis |
| Matthew | Thomas |
| Matthew | David |
| Matthew | Harrison |
| Matthew | Oliver |
| Matthew | Declan |
| Matthew | Dylan |
Celebrity named Matthew
The name Matthew has remained popular partly due to its association with several well-known celebrities. Here are some famous individuals named Matthew:
| Celebrity Name | Profession/Famous For |
| Matthew Evans | Former English cricketer |
| Matthew Lillard | Actor |
| Matthew Broderick | American film and stage actor |
| Matthew McConaughey | Actor |
| Matthew Bellamy | Musician |
| Matthew Daddario | Actor |
| Matthew Dayes | American football player |
| Matthew Perry | Actor |
| Matthew Holliday | Professional baseball player |
| Matthew Emmons | American rifle shooter |
Last Names and Similar Names
Matthew is also an incredibly popular baby name as a starting and middle name because it is beautiful and symbolic. It too has an unmistakable assortment of family names. Other names for Matthew include:
| Similar Baby Names | Suitable Family Names |
| Jonathan | Jannes |
| Dorek | Joyce |
| John | Noah |
| Matthal | Charles |
| Mikelle | Ryan |
| Donato | Jeremiah |
| Zane | Nicholas |
| Nathan | Leonard |
| Miesha | Jude |
| Jonas | Grant |
Names like Matthew
There are various names that have similar sounds and rhymes to Matthew. Here are a few of the names that rhyme with Matthew:
| Names like Matthew | |
| Matteo | Andrew |
| Matthieu | Mateo |
| Medea | Mattie |
| Mattheus | Saateu |
| Madai | Meadow |
| Matzew | Montew |
Brother/Sister Names to Matthew
Making the siblings feel similar through matching Matthew’s sibling names was important. Here are some sister names and brother names for Matthew:
| Sister Names for Matthew | Brother Names for Matthew |
| Olivia | James |
| Lily | Gavin |
| Emma | William |
| Izzy | August |
| Mary | Liam |
| Adriana | Philip |
| Anastasia | Patrick |
| Bella | Jake |
| Jenna | Zayn |
| Hope | Alex |
Nicknames for Matthew
Nicknames are charming names given to your child with an indication of humor or nature. Here are some nicknames for Matthew:
| Nicknames for Matthew | |
| Matty | Monty |
| Matt | Matts |
| Mac | Mattie |
| Mark | Mitch |
| Math | Mate |
| Mats | Matsy |
| Mattison | Monet |
| Manda | Max |
| Miles | Mato |
| Matters | Matic |
Final Thought
To summary, the name Matthew’s meaning combines a rich history with a beautiful meaning that honors your child’s unique place in your life. Its timeless charm and universal appeal make it a great choice for any boy. By choosing Matthew, you are not only giving your son a name with a strong and positive meaning but also a name that can stand the test of time.
Sources:
- Popular Baby Names. (n.d.). SSA. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/ ↩︎
- Source: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-08-24&q=matthew ↩︎
- Source: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-08-24&geo=US&q=matthew ↩︎
