Declining since 2020, #6,446 for boys today.
Popularity of Mathayus since 2003
Babies named Mathayus per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 71 |
| 2010s | 125 |
| 2020s | 84 |
Meaning & origin
Mathayus is a rare modern name with a divisive origin. First recorded in 2003, it appears to have been inspired by the character Mathayus in the 1999 film 'The Mummy', though some connect it to the traditional name Matthew. Its peak popularity came in 2019 when it ranked 6446th. Since 2020, its usage has been falling. In 2025, only 1 in 131,390 boys received the name. It has not been recorded in any single state's top rankings, indicating a scattered but persistent presence across the U.S. The name's trajectory suggests it may remain a niche choice for parents drawn to strong, mythological-sounding names.
Mathayus is of uncertain origin. It may be a modern respelling or variant of Matthew, which derives from the Hebrew name Mattityahu meaning 'gift of God'. However, its rise in the early 2000s coincides with the release of the action film 'The Mummy' (1999), whose protagonist is named Mathayus, suggesting it may be a Hollywood invention. The name is recorded only from 2003 onward.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Matt, Matty, Thay
Sibling names for Mathayus
Names that share Mathayus's style, for a brother or sister.
