"gift of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Matthews
Pronunciation: [ m-ATHY-ooz ]
Does Matthews flow with your last name?
A distinguished surname form of the apostle Matthew
American
English
Strong
Classic
Bold
Traditional
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Matthews
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Meaning & Origin
"son of Matthew"
Origin: English
Language: English
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The Story of Matthews
Matthews is the surname form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Mattityahu meaning 'gift of God' (mattan = gift + Yah = God). As a first name, Matthews follows the well-established American tradition of using family surnames as given names, lending a preppy, distinguished feel. It carries the same deep biblical heritage as Matthew while sounding more contemporary and surname-driven.
The use of surnames as first names has been a growing trend in American naming culture since the 1990s, and Matthews fits naturally alongside Brooks, Hayes, and Collins. It appeals to parents who want a classic meaning in a fresh, distinctive package.
Matthew is the name of one of the twelve apostles and the author of the first Gospel, giving Matthews a deep Christian heritage that parents may honor in a less traditional way.
Historical Record
Matthews first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,168 babies have been named Matthews in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Matthews is past its peak , currently ranked #4,628 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Matthew is one of the most common names in the Western world, drawn from the first book of the New Testament
- The -s surname ending in first names (Hayes, Brooks, Collins) has been a growing trend in American naming since the 2000s
- Dave Matthews has helped keep the Matthews name in public cultural consciousness for decades
Matthews in Other Languages
French
Matthieu
German
Matthias
Hebrew
מַתִּתְיָהוּ
English
Matthews
Spanish
Mateo
Popularity Over Time
#4,628
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1984
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Matthews
D
Dave Matthews
Musician
1967
South African-born American musician and founder of the Dave Matthews Band
C
Chris Matthews
Entertainer
1945
American political commentator and longtime host of MSNBC's Hardball
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Compare Matthews with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,628
- Total SSA Count
- 22
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Matt
Matty
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Matthews
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Matthews
What does the name Matthews mean?
"gift of God" (from Hebrew). "son of Matthew" (from English). Matthews is the surname form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Mattityahu meaning 'gift of God' (mattan = gift + Yah = God). As a first name, Matthews follows the well-established American tradition of using family surnames as given names, lending a preppy, distinguished feel. It carries the same deep biblical heritage as Matthew while sounding more contemporary and surname-driven.
What is the origin of the name Matthews?
Matthews has Hebrew, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "gift of God". In English, it means "son of Matthew".
Is Matthews a boy or girl name?
Matthews is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Matthews?
Matthews is pronounced m-ATHY-ooz.
How popular is the name Matthews?
Matthews is currently ranked #4628 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Matthews?
Common nicknames for Matthews include Matt and Matty.
What are good middle names for Matthews?
Popular middle name pairings include Matthews James, Matthews Cole, Matthews Lee, Matthews Allen, Matthews Joseph, Matthews Crew, and Matthews Grant.
What are good sibling names for Matthews?
Names that pair well with Matthews as siblings include Harrison, Brooks, Parker, Hudson, Emerson, Campbell, and Pearce.
How many syllables does Matthews have?
Matthews has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Matthews a common or rare name?
Matthews is an uncommon name, ranked #4628 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Matthews?
About the Name Matthews
Matthews is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "gift of God" in Hebrew .
Matthews is currently ranked #4,628 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Matthews has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-ATHY-ooz, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Matthews include Matt and Matty. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Matthews include Matthew, Matteo, Matthias, Mattias, Matt . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis