Matt Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationMat / mætHebrew; Latin
Meaning
Hebrew: Gift of God; Latin: Warlike
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Matt is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning "gift of God." This name evolved through various linguistic stages, beginning with the Hebrew form, which was transliterated into Greek as Matthaios. The name was then adopted into Latin as Mattheus, before making its way into Old French as Mathieu, and finally into Middle English as Matthewe. The shortened form, Matt, emerged as a diminutive in English-speaking contexts, particularly from the 20th century onward, although its roots trace back to the original Hebrew meaning.
Historically, the name Matt is closely associated with Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and traditionally regarded as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. This Gospel, one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament, was likely composed in the first century CE and has had a significant impact on Christian theology and liturgy. The name Matthew, and by extension its diminutive Matt, gained prominence in Christian contexts due to the saint's importance in early Christianity and the subsequent translations of the Bible, including the influential King James Version published in 1611.
Culturally, the name Matt has been embraced in various contexts, often symbolizing qualities of generosity and divine favor, reflective of its original meaning. The name has been borne by numerous notable figures throughout history, including various saints and scholars, which has contributed to its enduring legacy. The diminutive Matt is often used informally, reflecting a sense of familiarity and warmth. Overall, the name Matt encapsulates a rich historical and cultural significance rooted in its biblical origins.
Trend Summary
Matt has seen consistent popularity in the United States, particularly during the late 20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Mat
- Matty
International Variants
- Matteo (Italian)
- Matías (Spanish)
- Matthias (German)
Famous people named Matt
Matt Damon is an actor best known for Good Will Hunting, The Martian, and the Bourne series.
Matt LeBlanc is an actor best known for Friends, Episodes, and Top Gear.
Matt Groening is a cartoonist best known for The Simpsons, Futurama, and Life in Hell.
Matt Smith is an actor best known for Doctor Who, The Crown, and Terminator Genisys.
Matt Bomer is an actor best known for White Collar, Magic Mike, and The Normal Heart.
Matt Hardy is a professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE and tag team success with his brother Jeff Hardy.
Matt Bellamy is a musician best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Muse.
Matt Parker is a mathematician and comedian best known for his work on Numberphile and his books on mathematics.
Matt Stone is a co-creator of South Park and is known for his work on the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon.
Matt Kuchar is a professional golfer best known for winning multiple PGA Tour events and representing the U.S. in the Ryder Cup.
Fictional characters named Matt
Matt Murdock is a fictional character from the comic book series Daredevil. He is a blind lawyer by day and vigilante by night, fighting crime in Hell's Kitchen.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Matt was first seen in the United States in 1880. Matt has ranked as high as #523 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. In the past 5 years the name Matt has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Matt (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 7 | |
TX | 6 | |
FL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 41 |
1881 | 29 |
1882 | 26 |
1883 | 39 |
1884 | 55 |
1885 | 41 |
1886 | 27 |
1887 | 34 |
1888 | 43 |
1889 | 33 |
1890 | 28 |
1891 | 27 |
1892 | 30 |
1893 | 30 |
1894 | 23 |
1895 | 26 |
1896 | 28 |
1897 | 20 |
1898 | 24 |
1899 | 21 |
1900 | 31 |
1901 | 21 |
1902 | 27 |
1903 | 27 |
1904 | 24 |
1905 | 24 |
1906 | 25 |
1907 | 22 |
1908 | 19 |
1909 | 32 |
1910 | 27 |
1911 | 40 |
1912 | 54 |
1913 | 60 |
1914 | 103 |
1915 | 106 |
1916 | 105 |
1917 | 114 |
1918 | 128 |
1919 | 101 |
1920 | 94 |
1921 | 104 |
1922 | 101 |
1923 | 89 |
1924 | 93 |
1925 | 87 |
1926 | 75 |
1927 | 73 |
1928 | 67 |
1929 | 65 |
1930 | 71 |
1931 | 59 |
1932 | 58 |
1933 | 55 |
1934 | 60 |
1935 | 59 |
1936 | 66 |
1937 | 49 |
1938 | 57 |
1939 | 53 |
1940 | 66 |
1941 | 55 |
1942 | 74 |
1943 | 63 |
1944 | 61 |
1945 | 60 |
1946 | 76 |
1947 | 78 |
1948 | 87 |
1949 | 77 |
1950 | 76 |
1951 | 92 |
1952 | 80 |
1953 | 108 |
1954 | 139 |
1955 | 196 |
1956 | 371 |
1957 | 569 |
1958 | 907 |
1959 | 975 |
1960 | 878 |
1961 | 888 |
1962 | 857 |
1963 | 906 |
1964 | 882 |
1965 | 800 |
1966 | 727 |
1967 | 707 |
1968 | 782 |
1969 | 799 |
1970 | 739 |
1971 | 805 |
1972 | 588 |
1973 | 502 |
1974 | 400 |
1975 | 409 |
1976 | 340 |
1977 | 293 |
1978 | 234 |
1979 | 255 |
1980 | 237 |
1981 | 198 |
1982 | 197 |
1983 | 226 |
1984 | 178 |
1985 | 167 |
1986 | 163 |
1987 | 135 |
1988 | 145 |
1989 | 105 |
1990 | 92 |
1991 | 83 |
1992 | 87 |
1993 | 60 |
1994 | 67 |
1995 | 50 |
1996 | 53 |
1997 | 56 |
1998 | 56 |
1999 | 69 |
2000 | 48 |
2001 | 53 |
2002 | 59 |
2003 | 55 |
2004 | 46 |
2005 | 40 |
2006 | 67 |
2007 | 62 |
2008 | 68 |
2009 | 60 |
2010 | 51 |
2011 | 44 |
2012 | 56 |
2013 | 47 |
2014 | 61 |
2015 | 57 |
2016 | 59 |
2017 | 72 |
2018 | 42 |
2019 | 39 |
2020 | 37 |
2021 | 37 |
2022 | 34 |
2023 | 46 |
2024 | 46 |