Boy New Testament Known
Matthew
given; a reward
Ματθαῖος Matthaios
Matthew (Greek: Ματθαῖος, Matthaios) means “given; a reward”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 8 verses across 4 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 7,008 children in the United States, ranking 32. Use is falling away. Around 1,659,655 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Alphaeus in Acts 1.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Matthew
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 8 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Gospels
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Matthew | rank 32 · 7,008 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Argentina | MATEO | 278,662 registrations | Births in year |
| Brazil | MATEUS | 588,819 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | MATEO | 54,981 bearers · mean age 15.5 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Mateus | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 7,008 | Falling |
| All-time total | 1,659,655 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 50,526 in 1983 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Matthew 9:9 |
| Last appears | Acts 1:13 |
| Cross-references | 260 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- James co-occurrence Appears with James in Luke 5.
- Alphaeus co-occurrence Appears with Alphaeus in Acts 1.
- Simon co-occurrence Appears with Simon in Acts 1.
- Judas co-occurrence Appears with Judas in Acts 1.
- Thomas co-occurrence Appears with Thomas in Acts 1.
- Bartholomew co-occurrence Appears with Bartholomew in Acts 1.
- Andrew co-occurrence Appears with Andrew in Acts 1.
Origin & meaning
Μαθθαῖος (Rec. Ματθ-, see WH, App., 159; Bl., § 3, 11; on the Semitic form, see Dalman, Words, 51; Gr., 142), -ου, ὁ,
Matthew: Mt title., Mat.9:9 10:3, Mrk.3:18, Luk.6:15, Act.1:13 (cf. Λευεί).†
(AS)
Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector who became one of Jesus' twelve apostles and authored the Gospel of Matthew.
The biblical story
Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector in Capernaum before being called by Jesus to become one of His twelve apostles. As a tax collector, Matthew would have been considered a sinner and an outcast by the Jewish community. However, Jesus saw beyond his profession and called him to follow Him (Mat.9.9; Mrk.2.14; Luk.5.27). Matthew responded immediately, leaving his tax booth and hosting a great feast for Jesus in his home, inviting other tax collectors and sinners (Luk.5.29). As an apostle, Matthew witnessed Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. He is also traditionally attributed as the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the long-awaited Messiah (Mat.10.3; Mrk.3.18; Luk.6.15; Act.1.13).
Key verses
Matthew appears in 8 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Matthew 9:9 -
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus;
Matthew 10:3 -
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
Mark 2:14 -
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Mark 3:18 -
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
Luke 5:27
Show all 8 references
Matthew (2)
- Matthew 9:9
- Matthew 10:3
Mark (2)
- Mark 2:14
- Mark 3:18
Luke (3)
- Luke 5:27
- Luke 5:29
- Luke 6:15
Acts (1)
- Acts 1:13
Name variants & nicknames
- Matt — nickname
- Matty — nickname
- Mateo — Spanish
- Mateus — Portuguese
- Mattityahu — Hebrew form
- Levi — also called Levi (Mark 2:14)