Names/M

Matthews

boys’ nameComebackCompare

Matthews is outside the top 1,000 in 2024, with 22 births. It has never entered the top 1,000.

Rank in 2024
outside the top 1,000
Births in 2024
220.00% of boys
Peak year
198841 births
Best rank
never in the top 1,000
Since 1882
1,595people given the name
Babies named Matthews, by year of birthboys
01325385018801900192019401960198020002020

The story in the numbers

1,595 boys have been named Matthews in the United States since 1882, according to Social Security records. The busiest single year was 1988, with 41 births.

This is a comeback. After an early peak the name fell to a fraction of its former share, and it has been climbing again for the past decade.

Half of everyone given the name was born by 1979, and the 1980s alone account for 17%.

By decade

Decadeboys named Matthews
1880s5
1890s5
1900s16
1910s89
1920s126
1930s82
1940s104
1950s121
1960s120
1970s141
1980s269
1990s176
2000s175
2010s97
2020s69

In 1988, its biggest year

Matthews was outside the top 1,000 that year. The top five boys’ names of 1988 were Michael, Christopher, Matthew, Joshua and Andrew. See all of 1988.

Names that rose and fell with Matthews

Same sex, most similar popularity curve over 145 years, in five-year steps — the shape of the line, not the size.

What this page does not tell you. The Social Security data records how many babies were given a name, not what the name means or where it comes from — so neither do we. Counts cover people with a Social Security number; names given to fewer than five babies in a year are withheld. More on the data.