Matthew on BabyNamer

Matthew

Meaning: Its source is Matityah, a Hebrew name meaning "God's gift."

Languages: This boy's name is used in English.

Nicknames: Matt, Mattie, Matty and Matej

Alternative Spellings: Mathew

Feminine Forms: Mattea and Mathea

Non-English Forms: Mateo, Matheu, Matias, Matteo, Mattheus, Mathieu, Mattia, Matthaeus, Matthijs, Matthieu, Matija, Mateja, Mateusz, Matvei and Matous

Source Forms: Matityah

Popularity: The name Matthew ranked 4th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics, 25th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census and 5th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1994 US Census.

This name is highly rated both on the 1990 U.S. Census list and in state data recording the most popular baby names.

Narrative: According to Christian folklore, the disciple Matthew collected taxes before he followed Jesus. Jews of that period hated tax-gatherers, who were agents of Herod, the Roman puppet-king. By accepting Matthew, Jesus demonstrated his tolerance of all types of people.

In the Bible, however, Levi is the disciple who formerly collected taxes. While many disciples were known by two names -- Simon Peter, Judas Iscariot and Judas Thaddeus, for example -- there is no clear indication that Matthew and Levi were the same man.

This is similar to the case of Mary Magdalene, popularly believed to be an ex-prostitute though this is not said in the Bible. However, scriptural gaps are unlikely to threaten traditions that underscore the Christian doctrine of accepting people without regard to their past.

Leadership

Matthew Thornton
- Signer, Declaration of Independence, New Hampshire (see list of Signers of the Declaration of Independence)

Miscellaneous

St. Matthew
Tax collector from Capernaum who became one of Jesus' disciples.
- Author of the Gospel that bears his name (see list of Biblical Names from the New Testament)
Matthew Bunker Ridgway (born 1895, died 1993)
American general who drove the Chinese out of South Korea.
- 1986 recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom (see list of Presidential Medal of Freedom Winners)

Sports

Matthew Biondi
American athlete.
- 1988 Olympic swimming gold medal winner for 50m and 100m Freestyle (see list of Olympic Gold Medalists in Freestyle Swimming)
Matthew ''Pat'' Kennedy
American basketball referee.
- Chosen for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 (see list of Basketball Hall of Fame)
Matthew MacGrath
American athlete.
- 1912 Olympic track and field gold medal winner for Hammer (see list of Olympic Gold Medalists in Miscellaneous Field Events)

Stage and Screen

Matthew Ashford (born 1960)
American actor.
- Actor on soap opera ''''General Hospital'''' (see list of Performers on ''General Hospital'')
Matthew Brock
Fictional character.
- Portrayed by Justin Shenkarow (see list of Characters on ''Picket Fences'')
Matthew Broderick (born 1962)
American actor.
- 1995 Tony Award winner for his performance in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (see list of Tony Winners for Best Actor in a Musical)
Matthew Cory
Fictional character.
- Character on the soap opera ''''Another World'''' (see list of Characters on ''Another World'')
Matthew Fordwick
Fictional character.
- Portrayed by John Ritter (see list of Characters on ''The Waltons'')
Matthew Laborteaux (born 1966)
- Portrayed Albert Ingalls from 1978-82 (see list of Actors on ''Little House on the Prairie'')
Matthew Laurance (born 1951)
American actor.
- Portrays Mel Silver (see list of Actors on ''Beverly Hills 90210'')
Matthew Lillard
American actor
- Starred in Wing Commander, Scream (see list of see Hollywood Freshmen)
Matthew Perry (born 1969)
Actor.
- Portrays Chandler Bing (see list of Actors on ''Friends'')

The Literary World

Matthew Arnold (born 1822, died 1888)
English poet and critic.
- Wrote ''''Dover Beach'''' (see list of Poets of the Victorian Era)
Matthew Clements
Fictional character.
- A murder victim in Stephen King''s novel It (see list of Characters in It)
Matthew Lassiter
Fictional character
- The hero in Nora Roberts'' novel, The Reef (see list of Characters from modern romance novels)
Matthew Lewis
- 1975 Pulitzer Prize winner for Feature Photography (see list of Winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography)
Matthew Prior (born 1664, died 1721)
English poet.
- Wrote ''''Alma'''' (see list of Writers of the Restoration and 18th Century)