Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of Yahweh" or "gift from God". It is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, which consists of two elements: mattan (gift) and YHWH (the name of God). The name Matthew has been popular throughout history and has been borne by many notable figures in various fields such as religion, politics, and arts.
The earliest known use of the name Matthew can be traced back to the New Testament of the Bible. According to the story, Matthew was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ and was also known as Levi. He is traditionally regarded as the author of the first Gospel in the New Testament, which is known as the Gospel according to Matthew.
Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name Matthew. Some examples include:
* Saint Matthew, the apostle whose feast day is celebrated on September 21st.
* Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), a British poet and cultural critic.
* Matthew Perry (born 1969), a Canadian-American actor known for his role in the sitcom Friends.
* Matthew McConaughey (born 1969), an American actor and filmmaker.
In popular culture, the name Matthew has been used in various works of literature, film, and television. For example, it is the name of the protagonist in Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Men, as well as the main character in the play The History Boys by Alan Bennett.
Today, Matthew remains a popular name for boys around the world. It has consistently ranked among the top 100 names for boys in many countries, including the United States and Canada. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its strong biblical associations, its classic sound, and its positive connotations of giftedness and divine favor.
The name Matthieu has a varied history of popularity among parents in the United States over the past five decades. In the early 1970s, the name was given to around five babies each year. This trend continued until 1982, when there was a significant increase in the number of births registered with the name Matthieu, with 16 occurrences that year.
The popularity of the name grew steadily throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, reaching its peak in 1997 with an impressive 30 births. This high level of popularity was sustained for several years, with over 25 babies named Matthieu each year between 1997 and 2004.
However, after this period of significant popularity, the frequency of the name Matthieu began to decline once again. Between 2005 and 2016, the number of annual births registered with the name Matthieu fluctuated between 21 and 33, indicating a decrease in its overall popularity.
More recently, the name Matthieu has seen another increase in popularity, with over 20 births each year since 2017. In fact, the most recent data available shows that there were 24 babies named Matthieu in both 2022 and 2023, indicating a renewed interest in this classic name.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Matthieu has waxed and waned over the years, it remains a timeless choice for parents looking for a strong and distinctive name for their sons. With a total of 1033 births registered with the name Matthieu since 1971, it is clear that this name continues to hold appeal for many families across the United States.