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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Matthew - does its recent drop down the rankings mean it will sound dated?

31 replies

Artichook · 04/04/2013 18:32

DH suggested Matthew today and to do honest it has never occurred to me as an option. This is DC3 and I know of no other little Matthews under the age of 10. I checked the rankings and in the last 20 years its gone from top ten to 40 something.

I think I quite like it but worry that it will seem a little dated. I remember when I was at school in the 80s the Lindas and Susans seemed a little stale, like their parents were behind the times. Will Matthew seem like that?

OP posts:

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SPsFanjoTheBigStickyHaribo · 04/04/2013 18:34

I have a 3 year old who has Matthew has a second middle name. It goes well with his first and second names. I like it but then I'm biased

Tommy · 04/04/2013 18:36

not at all! Matthew is one of those classic names that won't date. It would have been one of my choices but my brother is Matthew

PoppyWearer · 04/04/2013 18:38

I think Matthew is a fab name - and the abbreviation of Matt sounds fairly up-to-date to me?

abbyfromoz · 04/04/2013 18:38

Sorry don't like it. Nephew (14) is a Matthew/Matt. Prefer his brother's name (Nathaneal)

everlong · 04/04/2013 18:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DerbyNottsLeicsNightNanny · 04/04/2013 18:41

My 3yr old nephew is Matthew & I don't know any other little Matthews but don't think it sounds dated. At the mo he's often called matt matt or Matty, guess he will be matt when older. I really like it

christmasChocs · 04/04/2013 18:47

My Ds is Matthew. He is 3! I like it!

ClaraOswald · 04/04/2013 18:48

I know a little Matthew who is three and he has brothers James and William. Classic.

I was chatting to someone and she mentioned that they had a name picked out for their boy due next month and it totally blindsided me. They are going for Robert Matthew.

Welovegrapes · 04/04/2013 18:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SJisontheway · 04/04/2013 19:01

Great name, but I am biased as I have one. When I was pregnant, and had decided on the name, it was described on here as "a bit wet". Didn't put me off, and I've never regretted our choice. I do think its a classic that doesn't really date.

exoticfruits · 04/04/2013 19:13

A classic -it won't date.

Artichook · 04/04/2013 19:18

DH also said none of the four apostle names could date. The thing is that I think John and Mark do sound a little dated. I am sure they will come back "in" but for now they are the names of our generation and the generation of our fathers.

I do like Matthew though. I like Luke too but it is very popular whereas Matthew stands a good chance of being the only Matthew in his class which is an attraction.

OP posts:

thermalsinapril · 04/04/2013 21:03

It's less fashionable than 40 years ago but it's certainly stood the test of time better than many 70s names. Matthias is a more unusual alternative that could still have Matt as nickname. Matthew is a classic name and I don't think you can go wrong

invicta · 04/04/2013 21:06

Classic name! It won't date.

CruCru · 04/04/2013 21:25

It is a proper name and everyone will be able to pronounce it.

NumberOneNumpty · 04/04/2013 21:32

No, it's going to have to drop down some more to seem dated - forty-something is still very popular.

raisah · 04/04/2013 22:59

Not as popular as Thomad, George & Samuel etc but that is a good thing. There arent so many young Matthews about so your ds will end up being one of a very few. Matthew is a good, solid traditional name which will carry well through all stages of your sons life.

fridayfreedom · 04/04/2013 23:10

Love the name Matthew but as my DS is called Matthew I am a bit biased
Just make sure you spell it with two Ts!

Floralnomad · 04/04/2013 23:12

I think Matthew is classic ,but I have one . Matt as a nn will always be contemporary . Bit like William and Will .

RustyBear · 04/04/2013 23:16

There are currently four Matthews in the junior school where I work, all 10 or under, that's just under 2%. I've been working/helping there for nearly 20 years and there's always been at least one Matthew (for four of those years it was mine, which is why I've noticed)

willyoulistentome · 04/04/2013 23:21

I love it. My DB is Matthew. (Matth)

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 05/04/2013 06:07

40-something is still pretty popular!! Anything inside the top 100 is in current, regular use.

My friend has a 3YO Matthew - great name, and all adult Matts seem to be very laid back, cool men.

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CityGal29 · 05/04/2013 19:32

To me it's an 80s name. All the boys at uni in 2000s were Chris James or Matt and all had one of these as middle name as well, except a few Dans and Bens (seriously!!)
It's an 80s name or the child of parents who are in their 40s and missed this bulge of matts iykwim

Jins · 05/04/2013 19:38

One of my favourite names. I know Matthews aged 83, 55, 40, 32, 18, 7 and 2 and it suits them all. One of the few names that suits every age group

mum47 · 05/04/2013 19:39

Love the name Matthew - suits all ages, and Matt is a fab shortform too.

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