Matthew is a name of English origin that has been widely used throughout history. It is derived from the Latin name Matthias, which was given to the apostle chosen by the early Christian church to replace Judas Iscariot after his betrayal and suicide.
The name Matthew means "gift of God" in Hebrew, reflecting the belief that the apostle was chosen by divine intervention. The name has been popular throughout history, with several notable figures bearing it, such as Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ; Matthew Bouwdion, a 15th-century French composer; and Matthew Arnold, a Victorian-era English poet.
In literature, Matthew is also the name of the main character in Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Men," and has been used in numerous other works of fiction. The name has been popular in many different cultures and countries throughout history, and its meaning as a "gift from God" has made it particularly appealing to religious families.
Overall, Matthew is a strong and enduring name with a rich history and meaningful origin. Its association with the apostle Saint Matthew has given it a sense of reverence and spirituality that continues to appeal to many parents today. Despite its religious roots, however, Matthew is also a popular secular name that can be used by families of any background or belief system.
The data provided shows the annual birth count of babies named Matthew in the United States from 1973 to 2000. Over this period, there were a total of 207 babies born named Matthew.
The popularity of the name Matthew varied throughout these years. The name reached its peak in popularity between 1984 and 1986, with 15 births in 1984, 17 births in both 1985 and 1986. This indicates that during this time, the name Matthew was quite favored among parents.
However, the popularity of the name Matthew seemed to decline after 1986. The annual birth count dropped significantly in the following years, with only 5 births recorded in both 1999 and 2000. This suggests that the name Matthew may have fallen out of favor towards the end of the century.
Overall, these statistics provide an interesting snapshot of the changing trends in baby naming over a span of nearly three decades in the United States. They show how popular culture, personal preferences, and other factors can influence the choice of names for newborn babies.