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Name meaning & originMatthew מַתִּתְיָהוּ

/MATH-yoo/

HebrewBoy
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Matthew is a Hebrew boy's name pronounced /MATH-yoo/. The name Matthew translates to 'Gift of Yahweh' or 'Gift of God'.

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Meaning of Matthew

The name Matthew translates to 'Gift of Yahweh' or 'Gift of God'.

It is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, composed of the elements 'mattan', meaning gift, and 'yah', referring to the Hebrew God. The name gained prominence through the New Testament as one of the twelve apostles and the traditionally attributed author of the first Gospel. It transitioned into Greek as Matthaios and Latin as Matthaeus before becoming standardized in English.

Origin
Hebrew
Pronunciation
/MATH-yoo/

Cultural background

Matthew has remained a consistently popular choice in English-speaking countries for centuries and is often associated with reliability and traditional values.

Variations & nicknames

  • Matteo
  • Mathieu
  • Matthias
  • Matt
  • Mateo
  • Matias

Famous people named Matthew

Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.

  • Matthew the Apostle

    One of the twelve disciples of Jesus and patron saint of tax collectors.

    Religion · 1st Century

  • Matthew McConaughey

    Academy Award-winning American actor known for Dallas Buyers Club.

    Film · Modern

  • Matthew Perry

    Actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends.

    Film · Modern

  • Matthew Arnold

    Renowned Victorian poet and cultural critic.

    Literature · 19th Century

  • Matthew Henson

    American explorer who accompanied Robert Peary on expeditions to the North Pole.

    Exploration · 20th Century

Frequently asked about Matthew

Is Matthew a biblical name?
Yes, it is the name of one of the four evangelists and twelve apostles in the New Testament.
What is the most common nickname for Matthew?
The most common shortened versions are Matt and Matty.
What is the female version of Matthew?
While Matthew is strictly masculine, related feminine forms include Mattea and Madison.

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