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Matthew (given name)

Gender Male
Word/name Hebrew
Meaning "Gift of Yahweh"
Alternative spelling Mathew
Nickname(s) Matt, Matty
Usage Most Common usage of Matthew or Mathew in the English-speaking world
Popularity see popular names

Matthew (/ˈmæθjuː/; MATH-ew) is an English language given name. It ultimately derives from the Hebrew name "מתתיהו" (Matityahu) which means "Gift of Yahweh".

The Hebrew name "מַתִּתְיָהוּ‎" (Matityahu) was transliterated into Greek to "Ματταθίας" (Mattathias) . It was subsequently shortened to Greek "Ματθαῖος" (Matthaios); this was Latinised as Matthaeus, which became Matthew in English. The popularity of the name is due to Matthew the Apostle who in Christian theology is considered one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of Matthew.

The name is also sometimes used as an anglicisation of the Irish name , meaning bear.

The name Matthew became popular during the Middle Ages in North-West Europe, and has been very common throughout the English-speaking world since the 1970s.Maiú and Maidiú are Gaelic forms of the name Matthew, and were brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans. In 2009, Matthew was ranked 23rd most popular name in Ireland, and then 24th most popular name in 2010. During 2014, it was the 17th most popular name in Ireland.


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