Matthew in Chinese
Matthew in Chinese is 马修 (Mǎ Xiū).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- gift of God
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin, generally understood to mean "gift of God". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1980s. Spellings pronounced the same way include Mathew, which share the transliteration 马修.
3 ways to write Matthew
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
马修
Mǎ Xiū
The standard transliteration of Matthew: 马 (mǎ, "horse"), 修 (xiū, "to cultivate; slender"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 马 (mǎ) carries "mat", 修 (xiū) carries "thew". The tone contour is 3-1 (dipping, high level).
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 马
mǎ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
horse
- 修
xiū
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
to cultivate; slender
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
嘉乐
Jiā Lè
Inspired by "gift of God": 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy") + 乐 (lè, "joy, happiness; music"), expressing love, joy and blessings.
Why these characters?
Because Matthew is linked to "gift", the name leads with 嘉 (excellent, praiseworthy); 乐 (joy, happiness; music) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 嘉
jiā
Tone 1 · 14 strokes (simplified)
excellent, praiseworthy
- 乐
lè
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
joy, happiness; music
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
马嘉
Mǎ Jiā
马 (mǎ, "horse") + 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 马 (mǎ), the same opening character as the transliteration 马修, for the "mat" sound, and replaces the rest with 嘉 ("excellent, praiseworthy") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 马
mǎ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
horse
- 嘉
jiā
Tone 1 · 14 strokes (simplified)
excellent, praiseworthy
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Matthew
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Matthew ranked 35 among names recorded for boys, with 44,052 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 1,590,440 boys named Matthew since 1880, with the high point in 1983 (50,214 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #3 to #16 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1983
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 1,590,440
More About Matthew in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Matthew offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Matthew, you'll find options that work for you.
Matthew is also spelled Mathew — both names use the same Chinese transliteration.
Names with the same root meaning include Jonathan in Chinese, Nathaniel in Chinese, Johnathan in Chinese, Theodore in Chinese, and Jonathon in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Mathew in Chinese, Jonathan in Chinese, and Nathaniel in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Johnathan in Chinese, Theodore in Chinese, Jonathon in Chinese, Michael in Chinese, and Christopher in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Matthew, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Matthew to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Matthew in Chinese?
马修 (Mǎ Xiū), or 馬修 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Matthew?
US Social Security records show 1,590,440 boys named Matthew since 1880, with the high point in 1983 (50,214 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #3 to #16 among boys.
Is there a Chinese name for Matthew with real meaning?
Try 嘉乐 (Jiā Lè): excellent, praiseworthy + joy, happiness; music, inspired by "gift of God". For something that still sounds like Matthew, 马嘉 (Mǎ Jiā) is a middle ground.