Matthew sits comfortably in the UK charts at #149 in 2024 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
Origin & Meaning
Hebrew — Gift of God
📊
UK Rank 2024
#149
US Rank #33
About the Name Matthew
Matthew is gradually declining in popularity, having dropped 35 places over five years. Its high point was #6 in 1996, and it now sits at #149. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 24 of the last 29 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
The name carries Hebrew roots, where it means "Gift of God". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Matthew is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #33, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Matthew
Unlikely. With around 355 UK babies named Matthew per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Matthew in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Matthew has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 35 places in the last five years. Its peak was #6 in 1996. Choosing it now means he is likely to be among the last of his generation with this name.
The name Matthew has Hebrew origins and means "Gift of God". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Matthew include: Matthew Short — Matthew William Short is an Australian international cricketer who represents the Australia national team in limited overs cricket.; The Calling of Saint Matthew — The Calling of Saint Matthew is an oil painting by the Italian Baroque master Caravaggio that depicts the moment Jesus Christ calls on the tax collector...; Matthew Settle — Jeffrey Matthew Settle is an American actor..
Matthew ranks #33 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
355
UK babies named Matthew (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.2
In a school of 600
↓ 35 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Matthew
Likely around 1 other Matthew in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Matthew
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Matthew William Short is an Australian international cricketer who represents the Australia national team in limited overs cricket. A right-handed top-order batter who bowls right-arm off break, Short plays for Victoria at state level, captains the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League and plays for the Chennai Super Kings in Indian Premier League.
The Calling of Saint Matthew is an oil painting by the Italian Baroque master Caravaggio that depicts the moment Jesus Christ calls on the tax collector Matthew to follow him. It was completed in 1599–1600 for the Contarelli Chapel in the church of the French congregation, San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, where it remains.
Jeffrey Matthew Settle is an American actor. He is known for playing Will Benson in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Captain Ronald Speirs on the 2001 HBO miniseries Band of Brothers and Rufus Humphrey on the CW teen drama series Gossip Girl.
Matthew the Apostle was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. According to Christian traditions, he was also one of the four Evangelists as author of the Gospel of Matthew, and thus is also known as Matthew the Evangelist.
Matthew Lawrence is an American actor, podcaster, and singer who is widely known for his roles in Mrs. Doubtfire, Boy Meets World, The Hot Chick, Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad, and Kiki's Delivery Service.
Matthew Wayne Shepard was an American student at the University of Wyoming who was beaten, tortured, and left to die near Laramie on October 6, 1998. He was transported by rescuers to Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he died six days later from severe head injuries sustained during the attack.
Matthew James Moy is an American actor. He co-starred as Han Lee on the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls and provides the voice of Lars Barriga on Steven Universe and Steven Universe Future.