Mathew is a masculine given name and a variant of Matthew. Like its root form, Mathew ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Mattithiah (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), meaning 'gift of God.' The English form Matthew came into use during the Middle Ages, and Mathew emerged as a common alternative spelling, particularly in surnames. The variant Mathew is less standard than Matthew but remains in regular use as both a given name and a surname.Etymology and HistoryThe name traces back to the Hebrew מַתִּתְיָהוּ (Mattityahu), composed of the elements mattath (gift) and Yah (short for Yahweh). In the New Testament, Matthew (likely also called Levi) was one of the twelve apostles, a tax collector who traditionally authored the Gospel of Matthew. The Greek form of the name, Matthaios, was adapted into late Latin as Matthaeus, and later into English as Matthew. The parallel spelling Mathew is often attributed to Latin manuscripts where the double 't' was simplified.Notable BearersNotable individuals bearing the given name Mathew include Mathew Knowles (born 1952), the American record executive and father of Beyoncé; English actors Mathew Baynton (born 1980) and Mathew Horne (born 1978); Australian soccer goalkeeper Mathew Ryan (born 1992); and athlete Mathew Leckie (born 1991). American singer-songwriter Mat Kearney and footballer Matty Healy also use the shortened form. The surname Mathew is especially prominent in South India, particularly among the Syriac Christian community (St. Thomas Christians) in Kerala.Cultural ContextWhile Matthew has been enduringly popular in English-speaking countries—especially in the U.S. where it ranked among the top 10 boys' names from the 1970s to the 1990s—Mathew is a less frequent variant. In India, the name is common among Christians and appears in public life as both a first name and a surname (spelled without double 't'). The alternative spelling exemplifies how biblical names evolve and spread across languages and regions.Meaning: Gift of GodOrigin: Hebrew, via EnglishType: Given name and surnameUsage Regions: English-speaking world, India