"gift of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Matthew
Pronunciation: [ m-ATHY-oo ]
Does Matthew flow with your last name?
A beloved biblical name meaning gift of God
English
American
Christian
European
Biblical
Classic
Gender Neutral
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"gift of Yahweh"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Matthew
Matthew comes from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning gift of God or gift of Yahweh. The name was carried into English through the Greek Matthaios and Latin Matthaeus. As a girls name, Matthew follows the contemporary trend of adopting traditionally male biblical names for daughters, similar to how James, Michael, and Ryan have crossed gender lines.
Matthew has been one of the most popular boys names in English-speaking countries for decades. As a girls name, it is an emerging trend, particularly in the American South where gender-crossing biblical names have a strong tradition. The nickname Mattie adds a feminine softness.
Matthew is one of the four Evangelists who wrote the Gospels, giving the name deep Christian significance. As a girls name, it represents a meaningful connection to faith heritage while standing out as distinctive and unexpected.
Historical Record
Matthew first appeared in US Social Security records in 1953.
Over 5,521 babies have been named Matthew in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Matthew is past its peak , currently ranked #17,263 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Matthew the Apostle was a tax collector before following Jesus
- Matthew has ranked in the US top 5 boys names multiple times since the 1960s
Matthew in Other Languages
French
Matthieu
German
Matthias
Hebrew
מַתִּתְיָהוּ
Italian
Matteo
Spanish
Mateo
Popularity Over Time
#17,263
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1983
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #17,263
- Total SSA Count
- 8
- Cultural Origins
- English American Christian European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Matt
Mattie
Matty
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Matthew
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Matthew is also used as a boy name, ranked #33.
View Matthew as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew
What does the name Matthew mean?
"gift of God" (from Hebrew). "gift of Yahweh" (from Hebrew). Matthew comes from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning gift of God or gift of Yahweh. The name was carried into English through the Greek Matthaios and Latin Matthaeus. As a girls name, Matthew follows the contemporary trend of adopting traditionally male biblical names for daughters, similar to how James, Michael, and Ryan have crossed gender lines.
What is the origin of the name Matthew?
Matthew has Hebrew, English, American, Christian, and European origins. In Hebrew, it means "gift of God". In Hebrew, it means "gift of Yahweh".
Is Matthew a boy or girl name?
Matthew is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #17263. As a boy name, it is ranked #33. Matthew is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Matthew?
Matthew is pronounced m-ATHY-oo.
How popular is the name Matthew?
Matthew is currently ranked #17263 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Matthew?
Common nicknames for Matthew include Matt, Mattie, and Matty.
What are good middle names for Matthew?
Popular middle name pairings include Matthew Grace, Matthew Anne, Matthew Rose, Matthew Jo, and Matthew Claire.
What are good sibling names for Matthew?
Names that pair well with Matthew as siblings include Luke, James, Mark, and Rachel.
How many syllables does Matthew have?
Matthew has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Matthew a common or rare name?
Matthew is an uncommon name, ranked #17263 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Matthew?
About the Name Matthew
Matthew is a girl name with English, American, Christian, and European origins . The name means "gift of God" in Hebrew .
Is Matthew a boy or girl name? Matthew is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #17,263 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #33. Matthew is more commonly used as a boy name.
Matthew is currently ranked #17,263 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Matthew has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-ATHY-oo, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Matthew include Matt, Mattie, and Matty. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Matthew include Mattie, Mattea . 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