"gift of God, gift of Yahweh"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Matt
Pronunciation: [ m-AT ]
Does Matt flow with your last name?
Short, classic, and God-gifted — Matthew in its truest form
American
English
Australian
Canadian
Classic
Minimalist
Traditional
Strong
Casual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"short form of Matthew"
Origin: English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Often perceived as a nickname rather than a full given name; may face questions about 'what it's short for'
The Story of Matt
Matt is the English short form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Matityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), meaning 'gift of God' or 'gift of Yahweh.' Matthew is one of the twelve apostles in the New Testament, and his name has been one of the most consistently popular in the English-speaking world. Using Matt as a standalone given name rather than a nickname for Matthew is a modern practice, giving children the name they'll actually use without the longer formal version.
Matt as a standalone name rather than a Matthew nickname became more common in the latter half of the 20th century. The name peaked in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s when short, strong boy names were dominant. It has since declined as parents seek more distinctive names, but remains recognizable and well-liked.
In the English-speaking world, Matthew/Matt was among the most popular boys' names for much of the late 20th century. The apostle Matthew's association with the Gospel of Matthew gives the name deep Christian resonance, while its secular sound makes it equally accessible to non-religious families.
Historical Record
Matt first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 20,014 babies have been named Matt in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Matt is past its peak , currently ranked #2,802 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Matthew has been a top-5 name in the US for much of the 1980s-2000s
- The Gospel of Matthew was traditionally written by the apostle Matthew, a tax collector called by Jesus
- In Italian, the form Matteo has surged dramatically in popularity in the 21st century
Matt in Other Languages
French
Matthieu
German
Matthias
Hebrew
מַתִּתְיָהוּ
Italian
Matteo
Spanish
Mateo
Popularity Over Time
#2,802
Current Rank
Peaked 1963
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Matt
M
Matt Damon
Actor
1970
Academy Award-winning American actor and screenwriter, known for Good Will Hunting and the Bourne series
M
Matt LeBlanc
Actor
1967
American actor famous for playing Joey Tribbiani in Friends
M
Matt Groening
Artist
1954
American animator and creator of The Simpsons and Futurama
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,802
- Total SSA Count
- 46
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian Canadian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Matt
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Matt is also used as a girl name, ranked #61647.
View Matt as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Matt
What does the name Matt mean?
"gift of God, gift of Yahweh" (from Hebrew). "short form of Matthew" (from English). Matt is the English short form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Matityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), meaning 'gift of God' or 'gift of Yahweh.' Matthew is one of the twelve apostles in the New Testament, and his name has been one of the most consistently popular in the English-speaking world. Using Matt as a standalone given name rather than a nickname for Matthew is a modern practice, giving children the name they'll actually use without the longer formal version.
What is the origin of the name Matt?
Matt has Hebrew, English, American, Australian, and Canadian origins. In Hebrew, it means "gift of God, gift of Yahweh". In English, it means "short form of Matthew".
Is Matt a boy or girl name?
Matt is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2802. As a girl name, it is ranked #61647. Matt is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Matt?
Matt is pronounced m-AT.
How popular is the name Matt?
Matt is currently ranked #2802 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Matt?
Popular middle name pairings include Matt James, Matt Thomas, Matt William, Matt Daniel, Matt Joseph, Matt Ryan, and Matt Andrew.
What are good sibling names for Matt?
Names that pair well with Matt as siblings include Kate, Jake, Emma, Luke, Sarah, Tim, and Amy.
How many syllables does Matt have?
Matt has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Matt a common or rare name?
Matt is an uncommon name, ranked #2802 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Matt?
About the Name Matt
Matt is a boy name with American, English, Australian, and Canadian origins . The name means "gift of God, gift of Yahweh" in Hebrew .
Is Matt a boy or girl name? Matt is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,802 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #61,647. Matt is more commonly used as a boy name.
Matt is currently ranked #2,802 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Matt has 1 syllable and is pronounced m-AT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Matt include Mateo, Matthew, Matteo, Matias, Mathias . 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