Matthews: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	5	1	–	#1,040
1890s	5	1	0%	#1,186
1900s	16	2	+220%	#1,243
1910s	89	9	+456%	#1,486
1920s	126	13	+42%	#1,857
1930s	82	8	-35%	#2,178
1940s	104	10	+27%	#1,944
1950s	121	12	+16%	#1,936
1960s	120	12	-1%	#1,940
1970s	141	14	+17%	#2,261
1980s	269	27	+91%	#1,710
1990s	176	18	-35%	#2,673
2000s	175	18	-1%	#2,966
2010s	97	10	-45%	#5,440
2020s (to 2025)	79	13	+36%	#4,651

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#1,040

1890s

#1,186

1900s

+220%

#1,243

1910s

+456%

#1,486

1920s

126

+42%

#1,857

1930s

-35%

#2,178

1940s

104

+27%

#1,944

1950s

121

+16%

#1,936

1960s

120

-1%

#1,940

1970s

141

+17%

#2,261

1980s

269

+91%

#1,710

1990s

176

-35%

#2,673

2000s

175

-1%

#2,966

2010s

-45%

#5,440

2020s (to 2025)

+36%

#4,651

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.

How old are people named Matthews?

The median living Matthews is about 37 years old; half are between 23 and 53. An estimated 1,200 people named Matthews 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.

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

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

How old is the average Matthews?

The median living Matthews is about 37 years old. Half of all living Matthewss are between 23 and 53 years old.

How many people named Matthews are alive today?

An estimated 1,200 people named Matthews are alive in the United States, based on 1,605 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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.

Matthews

Matthews popularity over time

The story of Matthews

How old are people named Matthews?

Matthews year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Matthews