Matthew

[whatthehelldowecare]

What’s the thoughts on Matthew? I was astounded to see it wasn’t in the top 100. To me it seems perfect, timeless without being old fashioned.. but now I’m wondering why it’s not more popular 😂😂

full disclosure - my 15 month is Matthew so obviously I think it’s perfect, but keen to know others thoughts

Babies called Ryan in England & Wales since 1996, #132in 2024 down from #116 on 2023. The name is fine but was too popular in the 1990s.

The trend in darkgeener is similar for Marrhew, but Matthew is from the Bible.

Gorgeous name. I love how classic and international it is (well at least the variations - Matteo, Mathias etc are). It would have been top of my list but I personally dislike “Matt” as it sounds so harsh to me and the nn seems inevitable once he’s older 😢

Interesting to hear people’s views on nicknames. Part of the reason we picked it was the plentiful nick name options. We call him Matty right now, but already feel like he’s outgrowing that 😂

I really like Matt and don't think it sounds harsh.

I agree, but now that I think about it.. we use Matt mostly when we’re telling him off for annoying the dogs/trying to chuck stuff about/throwing his dinner on the floor… so maybe it is a little more stern 😂

I tell Matty I love him and Matt to please god stop trying to eat the dog biscuits 😆

It is old. As in the Gospel according to Matthew.

What on earth is wrong with "old"? Especially in a world where everyone is calling their children Alfie and Albert and Vera and Nora, all of which sound very very retro indeed!
A classic is a classic, never in fashion, never out of fashion.

@MrsBungle , Stephen is the classic spelling and seems less dated.

It's great. I don't think many new testament names are ever in or out of fashion. They are classic.

I think it depends, not all names are classics. Some are like old man or lady names, which I hate. For example Martha or Edith on a little girl, ugh. And some are then Dad or Mum names. I quite like hearing new and unusual names, rather than the same boring ones.

I love Matthew, gift from God, I also have a Matthew. His mates call him Matt and Matty, I still call him Matthew.

I wanted to use Matthew for my second but didn’t because there’s someone in my family with that name. Every now and again I wonder if I should have used it anyway! It’s a lovely name OP.

I love Matthew! I think it’s one of those classics that will always be around to a greater or lesser extent. It’s a bit like Luke in that at the moment it’s trendier to use different versions of the names (Matteo / Luca etc) but I prefer Matthew and Luke personally 😊

I like it, timeless classic. Along the lines of James, Thomas, William

It is classic.

I think its seen as a bit boring/stodgy which is why there are the Matteo/Matthias type variations currently popular.

I think Matt is also in the basket of Chris and Nick: was a lovely name when all the little Christophers and Nicholases were being born, but they are now nearing middle-age as Matt, Chris and Nick which are perfectly ok names but really not at all fresh or original in a certain age group. Names cycle like that.

But Matthew is a nice, classic name, and I'd rather be boring than cringe when naming my child.

I'm bored to death by Thomas, which has inexplicably sailed through several generations of usage and demonstrates why the cycling of names helps keep them fresh. Sure, Tom is inoffensive, unsurprising - but is Tom even a nice sound? Its quite heavy ... and I can never not hear Tom-arse in Thomas. I think Matt/Matthew is preferable.

DS who is 16 is a Matthew and there are 3 others in his school year!
We never shorten it, but others do.

I find it dated and I really dislike Matt!

DH is Matthew/Matt. He's 53 this month.
I know of a Matty who is 18. Most other Matt's I know are Dad age though.

I have a Matthew, a great name. He is now an adult. His name has never been shortened, I really dislike Matt, so I am pleased that he has chosen not to shorten his name and he corrects anyone that does.

I like Matthew. Classic and dependable. Though I have a 5 year old David so clearly like a traditional boys name

We have a Matthew and i still love it, he is late 40’s.

It's a fine, strong, timeless biblical name.

Love the video of the little boy calling his pet moth "Mothew". So cute.

Gorgeous name, I love classic saint's names. Good choice, OP! We have a little Stephen in one of our EYFS classes at school and I was unreasonably happy when I saw the list!!

I think it was really popular in the early 80s/90s, I had loads of Matthew’s/Matt’s in my class all the way through school, and I had a cousin called Matthew - no one in the family ever shortened his name.

I like it a lot. Biased as I have one. He’s almost 24. He prefers being called Matt which all his friends call him. I picked it as I like both Matthew and Matt so not bothered by shortening. Although I’m not keen on Matty.

I really like it, classic, suits a boy or a man. The only reason I didn't go for itmyself is that I dislike Matt .