Boy · 158th of 16,616
Mathew
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
77,505
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1990
Peak Popularity Year
2,184
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Mathew stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Mathew originates from Hebrew, meaning 'gift of God'. It has evolved through various languages, including Greek and Latin, before becoming popular in English. Mathew is linked to biblical significance as an apostle and gospel writer. The name is perceived positively in modern times, associated with notable figures in various fields.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmæθjuː/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Mathew is derived from the Hebrew name 'Matityahu', which means 'gift of God'.
Meaning
gift of God
Language Evolution
Matityahu (Hebrew), Matthias (Greek), Matthaeus (Latin), Matheus (Old French), Mathew (English)
Biblical Background
Mathew is a significant biblical figure, being one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
Historical Usage
The name Mathew gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages, particularly after the Reformation when biblical names became fashionable.
Variants & Derivatives
Matthew, Matthias, Matteo, Matteus
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Mathew is viewed as a classic and timeless name, often associated with kindness and intelligence.
Famous People
Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Perry, Matthew Broderick, Mathew Baynton
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,184 peak births in 1990
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Idaho
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 10 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 407th of 7545 | 3,361 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 641st of 6773 | 1,677 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 496th of 7552 | 4,296 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 240th of 10718 | 14,969 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 158th of 16616 | 29,732 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 300th of 24088 | 17,016 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 625th of 23106 | 5,301 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 8706th of 19264 | 63 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8195th of 27321 | 134 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 30690th of 35406 | 10 |