Matthews Boy

Popularity: #928 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MATH-ews //ˈmæθ.juz//

Origin: English; Hebrew

Meaning: English: son of Matthew; Hebrew: gift of God

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Matthews is of English origin, derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu, meaning "gift of God." This name was translated into Greek as Matthaios and subsequently into Latin as Matthaeus. The name made its way into Old French as Mathieu before being adopted into Middle English as Matthews, which is a patronymic surname indicating "son of Matthew." The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many biblical names were introduced into the English lexicon through the influence of the Church and the clergy.

Historically, the name Matthews is associated with several significant figures, most notably Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which is one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament. The Gospel was likely composed in the late 1st century, and its prominence in Christian liturgy helped solidify the name's significance in Christian communities.

The name has also appeared in various historical texts and documents throughout the Middle Ages, often linked to ecclesiastical figures or landowners. Culturally, the name Matthews carries connotations of faith and divine favor, reflecting its etymological roots.

It has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing the idea of divine gift or blessing. The name has also given rise to several diminutive forms, such as Matt, which have been used in various cultures.

The enduring nature of the name Matthews can be attributed to its strong biblical connections and the cultural resonance of its meaning, which has allowed it to persist through centuries as a recognizable and respected name.

Famous people named Matthews

In this section, you will find notable people named Matthews. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Matthews who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Matthews who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Matthews McConaughey is an actor best known for Dallas Buyers Club, Interstellar, and True Detective.

Matthews H. McCulloh is a musician best known for his work with the band The Matthews Brothers.

Matthews M. K. is a filmmaker best known for his documentary work and short films.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Matthews, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MatthewMarkLukeJohnMichaelJamesDavid

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Matthews. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MatthiasMatteoMasonMaddoxMalcolmMarshallMaverick

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Matthews was first seen in the United States in 1882.

Matthews has ranked as high as #4129 nationally, which occurred in 1988, and has been most popular in Louisiana, South Carolina, California, New York, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Matthews has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Matthews is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Matthews was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Matthews.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 10 10
2024 22 22
2023 17 17
2022 7 7
2021 9 9
2020 14 14
2019 7 7
2018 10 10
2017 9 9
2016 10 10
2015 17 17
2014 10 10
2013 10 10
2012 8 8
2011 6 6
2010 10 10
2009 14 14
2008 14 14
2007 20 20
2006 13 13
2005 21 21
2004 14 14
2003 18 18
2002 18 18
2001 13 13
2000 30 30
1999 23 23
1998 16 16
1997 15 15
1996 15 15
1995 17 17
1994 11 11
1993 19 19
1992 21 21
1991 14 14
1990 25 25
1989 24 24
1988 41 41
1987 28 28
1986 30 30
1985 21 21
1984 34 34
1983 28 28
1982 22 22
1981 23 23
1980 18 18
1979 14 14
1978 17 17
1977 18 18
1976 11 11
1975 19 19
1974 10 10
1973 7 7
1972 15 15
1971 13 13
1970 17 17
1969 10 10
1968 18 18
1967 17 17
1966 11 11
1965 17 17
1964 6 6
1963 7 7
1962 12 12
1961 10 10
1960 12 12
1959 12 12
1958 11 11
1957 12 12
1956 11 11
1955 9 9
1954 9 9
1953 17 17
1952 11 11
1951 14 14
1950 15 15
1949 7 7
1948 14 14
1947 14 14
1946 8 8
1945 13 13
1944 14 14
1943 10 10
1942 10 10
1941 14 14
1939 5 5
1938 8 8
1937 6 6
1936 8 8
1935 7 7
1934 9 9
1933 12 12
1932 9 9
1931 8 8
1930 10 10
1929 13 13
1928 9 9
1927 11 11
1926 11 11
1925 9 9
1924 15 15
1923 16 16
1922 11 11
1921 12 12
1920 19 19
1919 16 16
1918 13 13
1917 13 13
1916 11 11
1915 7 7
1914 9 9
1913 7 7
1912 6 6
1911 7 7
1909 6 6
1906 5 5
1903 5 5
1894 5 5
1882 5 5

Top States for Matthews (2002)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 5
100%