Mat: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Mat

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1917

21 babies

All-time total

794

#5,935 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Mat popularity over time

794 babies have been named Mat since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	115	12	–	#453
1890s	64	6	-44%	#729
1900s	37	4	-42%	#840
1910s	120	12	+224%	#1,347
1920s	129	13	+8%	#1,919
1930s	60	6	-53%	#2,287
1940s	31	3	-48%	#2,860
1950s	55	6	+77%	#2,016
1960s	109	11	+98%	#2,160
1970s	58	6	-47%	#3,200
1980s	5	1	-91%	#7,207
1990s	–	–	–	–
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	11	1	–	#11,692
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

The story of Mat

Mat is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 794 American babies have been named Mat. Its peak came in 1917, when 21 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1910s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Mat stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Mat?

The median living Mat is about 61 years old; half are between 54 and 66. An estimated 200 people named Mat are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Mat year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	5	#13,370
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	6	#11,692
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	5	#7,207
1980	–	–
1975	7	#4,621
1970	10	#3,200
1965	10	#2,713
1960	12	#2,493
1955	–	–
1950	6	#3,560
1945	–	–
1940	6	#3,344
1935	6	#3,512
1930	5	#4,354
1925	11	#2,694
1920	9	#3,122
1915	11	#2,398
1910	6	#1,523
1905	8	#977
1900	6	#1,262
1895	10	#729
1890	8	#792
1885	13	#539
1880	16	#455

Famous people named Mat

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Matúš Bero Slovak international footballer b. 1995 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Mat, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Mat?

The median living Mat is about 61 years old. Half of all living Mats are between 54 and 66 years old.

How many people named Mat are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Mat are alive in the United States, based on 794 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Mat mean?

A diminutive of the male given name Matthew.

How popular is the name Mat in 2025?

Mat did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Mat?

794 babies have been named Mat in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Mat most popular?

Mat peaked in 1917, when 21 newborns received the name.

Is Mat a boy or girl name?

Mat is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Mat rising or falling?

Mat is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Mat?

Well-known people named Mat include Matúš Bero (soccer player).

Names like Mat

Names that sound and feel close to Mat: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Mat with similar names → More names starting with M →