Name meaning & stats
Matthew
Matthew means “gift of the Lord” (Hebrew origin). 1,635,179 US babies since 1940, peak 1983. Notable Matthews are 1.5× over-represented as actors.
What it means
“gift of the Lord”
HebrewWell documented
Via Greek Matthaios.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1983
1,635,179 US babies were named Matthew between 1940 and 2025.
Where Matthews end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 1.5× | High · 183 people |
| Footballer | 1.3× | High · 182 people |
| Writer | 1.3× | High · 110 people |
| Politician | 0.7× | High · 108 people |
Among notable men who are actors, Matthews show up 1.5× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Matthew has a surprise career: 1.6×
Spelling family
Matthew is the main spelling
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1983)