Matthews
Every Matthews since 1882 — 1,605 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Matthews
Matthews is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,024 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 1,605 American babies have been named Matthews. Its peak came in 1988, when 41 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Matthews stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Matthews year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #8,024 |
| 2024 | 22 | #4,651 |
| 2023 | 17 | #5,596 |
| 2022 | 7 | #10,480 |
| 2021 | 9 | #8,598 |
| 2020 | 14 | #6,180 |
| 2019 | 7 | #10,440 |
| 2018 | 10 | #7,961 |
| 2017 | 9 | #8,591 |
| 2016 | 10 | #7,952 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5,440 |
| 2014 | 10 | #7,934 |
| 2013 | 10 | #7,901 |
| 2012 | 8 | #9,409 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11,774 |
| 2010 | 10 | #7,948 |
| 2009 | 14 | #6,311 |
| 2008 | 14 | #6,297 |
| 2007 | 20 | #4,745 |
| 2006 | 13 | #6,341 |
| 2005 | 21 | #4,285 |
| 2004 | 14 | #5,696 |
| 2003 | 18 | #4,554 |
| 2002 | 18 | #4,431 |
| 2001 | 13 | #5,566 |
| 2000 | 30 | #2,966 |
| 1995 | 17 | #3,794 |
| 1990 | 25 | #2,673 |
| 1985 | 21 | #2,477 |
| 1980 | 18 | #2,687 |
| 1975 | 19 | #2,332 |
| 1970 | 17 | #2,261 |
| 1965 | 17 | #1,971 |
| 1960 | 12 | #2,494 |
| 1955 | 9 | #2,899 |
| 1950 | 15 | #1,995 |
| 1945 | 13 | #1,986 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,151 |
| 1930 | 10 | #2,725 |
| 1925 | 9 | #3,059 |
| 1920 | 19 | #1,857 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,274 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Matthews in 2025?
Matthews ranked #8,024 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Matthews?
1,605 babies have been named Matthews in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Matthews most popular?
Matthews peaked in 1988, when 41 newborns received the name.
Is Matthews a boy or girl name?
Matthews is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Matthews rising or falling?
Matthews is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.