Matthew is an English masculine given name, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning “gift of Yahweh.” It entered Greek as Ματθαῖος (Matthaios) through the New Testament, where it belonged to Matthew the Apostle, a tax collector who became one of the twelve disciples and is traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. The name was Latinized as Matthaeus and later adopted into English as Matthew.In the New Testament, Matthew is also called Levi. The variant Matthias appears for a different apostle, who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. Because of the biblical figures, Matthew became a common Christian name throughout Europe, especially during the Middle Ages in Northwest Europe.EtymologyThe original Hebrew form, Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), is composed of the elements mattan (“gift”) and Yahweh, the name of the God of Israel. It thus means “gift of Yahweh.” This was transliterated into Greek as Ματταθίας (Mattathias), but later the form Ματθαῖος (Matthaios) became standard. In Ireland, the name was borrowed as Maiú or Maidiú by Anglo-Normans, and the modern Irish form is Maitiú (sometimes used as an anglicisation of the native Irish name Mathúin, meaning “bear”).PopularityIn English-speaking countries, Matthew has been used since the Middle Ages. It surged in popularity in the second half of the 20th century, ranking among the top names for boys in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia during the 1980s and 1990s.Notable BearersHistorical figures include Commodore Matthew C. Perry (1794–1858), the American naval officer who opened Japan to the West. Modern bearers include actors Matthew Broderick (b. 1962), Matthew McConaughey (b. 1969), and Matthew Perry (1969–2023). The name also features prominently in the surnames Matthews, Mathews, and patronymics like Madison.Variant and Related FormsDiminutives: Mat, Matt, Mattie, MattyVariants: Mathew (English)Other languages: Matevos (Armenian), Matia (Basque), Mattanyahu (Biblical Hebrew), Matthias (German, etc.)Surname descendants: Matthews, Mathews, Mathewson, Matthewson, Madison