Matt: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Matt mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Hebrew: Gift of God
German: God's gift

Gender: Male

Syllables: 1

Pronunciation: The name Matt is pronounced mat

The name Matt is primarily a diminutive of Matthew and, according to Biblical origins, means "gift of God" in Hebrew. It emerged as a given name in its own right, enjoying widespread popularity in English-speaking countries. The name's simplicity and profound meaning have made it a favourite among parents for generations.

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

English: from a short form of the personal name Matthew.

German: from a short form of the personal name Matthias or Matthäus (see Matthew).

German and Dutch: variant of Matte, meaning "meadow."

Famous people with this first name

Matt in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Matt Murdock from Daredevil - A blind lawyer by day and a crime-fighting vigilante by night.
Matt Hooper from Jaws - A young marine biologist who assists in the hunt for a great white shark terrorizing a small island community.
Matt Foley from Saturday Night Live - A down-on-his-luck motivational speaker who famously lives "in a van down by the river".
Matt Saracen from Friday Night Lights - A high school quarterback navigating the pressures of sports, love, and family in a small Texas town.
Matt Donovan from The Vampire Diaries - The all-too-human friend amidst a circle of supernatural beings, constantly battling the chaos that surrounds them.

Popularity of the Name Matt

According to the Social Security Administration, the name Matt, often a diminutive of Matthew, does not appear in the top 100 baby names in recent years, indicating its popularity has waned compared to its peak in previous decades.

Historical figures with the name include Matt Dillon, a fictional character portrayed by James Arness in the classic television series Gunsmoke, and real-life individuals such as Matt Damon, an acclaimed actor and filmmaker known for his roles in movies like Good Will Hunting and the Bourne series. The name Matt has been common among athletes, artists, and political figures, demonstrating its versatility and enduring appeal across different fields and eras.