Matthew is a name of English origin, derived from the Hebrew name "Mattityahu". The name has been popular throughout history and continues to be widely used today.
The name Matthew means "gift of God" or "given by God". It is believed that the name was first used in biblical times, as one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles was named Matthew. He is also considered the author of the first Gospel in the New Testament, which is known as the Gospel of Matthew.
Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name Matthew. Some examples include Saint Matthew, who is venerated as a Christian saint and whose feast day is celebrated on September 21st; and Sir Matthew Pinsent, a British rower who won four Olympic gold medals in the men's coxless pairs event.
The name Matthew has also been used in literature and popular culture. For example, it is the name of the main character in "Roald Dahl's Matilda", a popular children's book by Roald Dahl; and it is the name of one of the main characters in "The Chronicles of Narnia" series by C.S. Lewis.
Overall, Matthew is a classic name with a rich history that has been used throughout different cultures and eras. Its meaning, "gift of God", makes it a popular choice for parents looking for a name with a positive and meaningful association.
The statistics provided show the number of births for the name Matthew in the United States from 1973 to 1988. The highest peak in popularity was reached in 1985, with 12 babies named Matthew born that year. This is a significant increase compared to previous years, such as 1973 with only 6 births and 1980 with 5 births. After the peak in 1985, there was a slight decrease in popularity, with 7 births in 1986 and 8 births in 1988. Overall, throughout this period, Matthew was a moderately popular name for newborn boys, with a total of 69 babies named Matthew born in the United States between 1973 and 1988.