Find out how popular the first name Mathew has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mathew by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Mathew is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Mathew being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 258 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Mathew.

The history of the first name Mathew

The given name Mathew is derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu, which means "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of God". It originates from the ancient Israelite culture and can be traced back to the Old Testament era. The earliest recorded use of the name Mathew is found in the Bible's New Testament, where it refers to one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, also known as Levi the tax collector.

The name Mathew gained widespread popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe, where it was commonly spelled as Matthew. It was a popular choice among Christian families due to its Biblical origins and association with the apostle. Some notable historical figures who bore this name include Matthew the Evangelist, one of the four authors of the Gospels, who lived in the 1st century AD.

During the Renaissance period, the name Mathew continued to be widely used across Europe. One of the most famous individuals with this name was the Italian Renaissance painter Matteo da Bassano, born in 1420 and known for his religious paintings and frescoes. Another notable figure was the English playwright and poet Matthew Prior, born in 1664, who was a prominent figure in the Augustan Age of English literature.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Mathew remained popular in various parts of the world. Matthew Flinders, an English navigator and cartographer, born in 1774, is remembered for his pioneering exploration of the Australian coastline and for being the first person to circumnavigate the continent. Matthew Arnold, an English poet and cultural critic, born in 1822, was a significant figure in the Victorian era and is renowned for his works such as "Dover Beach" and "The Scholar Gipsy".

In the 20th century, the name Mathew gained popularity in various cultural contexts. One of the most famous individuals with this name was the English actor and comedian Matthew Broderick, born in 1962, known for his roles in films such as "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Lion King". Matthew McConaughey, an American actor born in 1969, is another notable figure, known for his roles in movies like "Dallas Buyers Club" and "Interstellar".

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mathew was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mathew, please contact us.

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