Matthew
Male nameHebrew
✨ Meaning
Matthew derives from the Hebrew 'Mattityahu,' meaning 'gift of God' or 'gift of Yahweh.' In the New Testament, Matthew was the tax collector who became one of Jesus's twelve apostles and the traditional author of the first Gospel. The name combines divine generosity with a sense of being a chosen, treasured blessing.
🌍 Origin
Saint Matthew the Apostle, a former tax collector called by Jesus, wrote the first Gospel which begins with the genealogy of Jesus and places him firmly in Jewish tradition. His symbol is the angel or winged man. The name has been popular throughout Christian history and was among the most common US boys names in the 1980s-90s.
📈 Popularity Trend
⭐ Famous People Named Matthew
- Matthew McConaughey
- Matthew Perry
- Matthew Broderick
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Matthew mean?
Matthew means 'gift of God' from Hebrew Mattityahu. The apostle Matthew wrote the first Gospel and was called from a life as a tax collector to follow Jesus.
Is Matthew a popular name?
Matthew was in the top 5 US boys names for much of the 1980s-90s and remains in the top 30, a timeless classic with strong biblical credentials.
What are similar names to Matthew?
Similar names include Nathan, Matthias, Levi, Mark, and Luke — all New Testament apostle names with gentle strength.
Baby Name Books We Recommend
As an Amazon Associate, BabyNameDex earns from qualifying purchases.