Matthew is a name of English origin that has been popular for centuries. It comes from the Latin name Matthias, which means "gift of God." In the Bible, Saint Matthew was one of the twelve apostles and also wrote one of the four Gospels. The name was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The name Matthew has a long history of use in English-speaking countries. It has been a popular choice for boys since the Middle Ages, although its popularity has waxed and waned over time. In recent years, it has experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the United States.
Matthew is often shortened to Matt or Matty, but other variations include Matthieu (French), Matteo (Italian), and Mathew (British spelling). Some famous people named Matthew include actor Matthew McConaughey, singer-songwriter MattMonro, and former British prime minister Matthew Pinsent. Overall, Matthew is a classic name with a rich history that continues to be popular today.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Matthew in the United States:
From 1911 to 1948, there were fewer than 10 babies named Matthew each year, with the number of births ranging from 5 to 7 per year.
Starting in 1953, the popularity of the name Matthew began to increase steadily. In just two years, the number of babies named Matthew doubled, rising from 6 births in 1955 to 8 births in 1956.
The name Matthew gained significant momentum in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Between 1966 and 1972, the number of babies named Matthew quadrupled from 39 births in 1966 to a peak of 119 births in 1972.
The popularity of Matthew continued to rise throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. The number of babies named Matthew reached an all-time high, with 317 births recorded in 1983.
However, from the mid-1980s onwards, the popularity of the name Matthew began to decline gradually. Between 1986 and 2023, the number of babies named Matthew decreased by more than 95%, with only 6 births recorded in 2023.
In total, from 1911 to 2023, there were 5567 babies named Matthew born in the United States.