Matthew
Matthew sits comfortably in the UK charts at #153 in 2025 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
Hebrew — Gift of God
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 30 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 fairly common in the UK, so your child is very likely to be the only Matthew in their class.
In the US it ranks even higher at #33, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
⭐ Famous People Named Matthew
- 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 to follow him.
- Matthew Settle — Jeffrey Matthew Settle is an American actor.
Biographical summaries are shortened from Wikipedia and are used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence; those summaries remain available under that same licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Matthew
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Matthew
Almost certainly the only Matthew in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2025)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2025)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Matthew
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
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Famous People Named Matthew
Notable people who share this name, from history to the present day. See full list on Wikipedia