Matthew - Names
Meaning of the name Matthew
Gender:
Male
Meaning:
‘Gift of Yahweh’ (from Hebrew Mattathyah - mattath: ‘gift’)
History & etymology:
Matthew is a Biblical name. It comes from the Hebrew name Mattathyah. From there, the name was adopted into Greek as Mattathias and contracted to Mattahios. Subsequently, the name made its way to Latin as Matthaeus and later to Old French (Mathieu). After the Norman Conquest, the name came into use as an English given name Matthew.
The name Matthew appears in the New Testament. St. Matthew was an Apostle of Jesus and the writer of one of the four Gospels. Little is known about his life. What we know for sure is that he was a tax collector by profession (and therefore is the patron saint of the bankers). In his life he witnessed Jesus Christ’s miracles as well as his resurrection and ascension.
St. Matthew’s feast day is celebrated on 21st September.
Alternative spellings & nicknames:
Variant: Mathew, Matthias
Diminutives: Mat, Matt, Matty, Mattie
Similar names in other languages & name days:
Austria
24th February: Mathias
21st September: Matthaus
Czech Republic
21st September: Matouš
Finland
25th February: Matti
France
21st September: Matthieu
Germany
24th February: Matthias
21st September: Matthäus
Poland
21st September: Mateusz
Spain
14th May: Matías
21st Septeber: Mateo
Sweden
24th February: Mattias
21st September: Matteus
USA
21st September: Matthew, Mathew, Matt, Mattie
Famous people named Matthew/Matt:
Matthew Bellamy (1978-) - English rock singer
Matthew Broderick (1962-) - American actor
Matthew Daddario (1987-) - American actor
Matt Damon (1970-) - American actor
Matthew Davis (1978-) - American actor
Matt Hardy (1974-) - American wrestler
Matthew Healy (1989-) - English rock singer
Matt Lanter (1983-) - American actor
Matt LeBlanc (1967-) - American actor
Matthew Lewis (1989-) - English actor
Matthew McConaughey (1969-) - American actor
Matthew Perry (1969-) - American actor
Matt Smith (1982-) - English actor
Fun facts:
Popularity (2015)
USA: 15th
England and Wales: 47th
Canada: 33rd
Australia: 51st
New Zealand: 57th
Ireland: 27th
Northern Ireland: 7th
Scotland: 28th
Lucky colors: green, red
Lucky stone: Ruby
Ruling planet: Jupiter
Characteristics: expressive, influential, charismatic, career-oriented, ambitious