Declining since 1987, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Matthews since 1882
Babies named Matthews per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1988, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Matthews's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 16 |
| 1910s | 89 |
| 1920s | 126 |
| 1930s | 82 |
| 1940s | 104 |
| 1950s | 121 |
| 1960s | 120 |
| 1970s | 141 |
| 1980s | 269 |
| 1990s | 176 |
| 2000s | 175 |
| 2010s | 97 |
| 2020s | 79 |
Meaning & origin
Matthews is a surname-turned-given name that peaked in usage during its first recorded year of 1882, when it held its highest rank. Since 1987, its popularity has been on a steady decline, reflecting a broader trend away from patronymic first names. In 2025, approximately 1 in 170,808 boys received the name, placing it at rank 7,679. The name is primarily associated with English and Hebrew origins, though as a given name it has seen limited uptake compared to the more common Matthew. Its top states historically show scattered usage, with no single region dominating. Matthews retains a traditional, formal quality that may appeal to families seeking a less common variant of a classic biblical name.
Matthews is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Matthew, which in turn comes from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of Yahweh.' The name became common in England after the Norman Conquest and was often used as a surname to denote 'son of Matthew.' It has been in continuous use as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries, though it remains less common than the original Matthew.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Matt, Matty
Sibling names for Matthews
Names that share Matthews's style, for a brother or sister.
