Matthew (name)

Matthew (name)

Matthew ( /ˈmæθjuː/; MATH-yoo) is a given name that ultimately comes from the Hebrew name Matityahu. It was first named to Saint Matthew, who was one of the twelve disciples and credited with the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew. It is commonly shortened to Matt, or especially in Ireland, Matty.

The Hebrew name "מַתִּתְיָהוּ" (Matityahu) was transliterated into Greek to "Ματταθίας" (Mattathias), which was shortened to "Ματθαῖος" – (Matthaios). Deceptively, it is therefore unrelated to θεῖος (theios) meaning divine (adjective, e.g. theology) or sulfur (Koine noun, e.g. thiol group). The Greek Ματθαῖος was Latinised as Matthaeus, which became Matthew in English.

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

The name Matthew became popular during the Middle Ages in North-West Europe, and appears in many European languages. The name has been very common throughout the English-speaking world since the 1970s. Matthew has been one of the 1,000 most popular male names in Australia, Canada and United States. In Great Britain, Matthew has been in the top 100 most popular male names. Currently, it is the 15th most popular name in the Republic of Ireland. In the United Kingdom, it was among the 10 most popular male names through the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and was ninth as recently as 2001, but by 2009 had fallen to 38th.

Read more about Matthew (name):  Translations in Other Languages

Famous quotes containing the word matthew:

    For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
    Bible: New Testament, Matthew 13:12.