Matthew Kelly

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Matthew Kelly — gift of God
986K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Matthew Kelly is a name combining Hebrew origins, bringing together "gift of God" (Matthew) with "war, strife" (Kelly). The first name Matthew is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. From the Greek Matthaios, from Hebrew Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), meaning "gift of God." Author of the first Gospel. The surname Kelly: Kelly or O'Kelly is a surname of Irish origin. It derives from the Kings of Uí Maine. The name is a partially anglicised version of older Irish names and has numerous origins, most notably from the Ui Maine. In some cases it is derived from toponyms located in Ireland and Great Britain; in other cases it is derived from patronyms in the Irish language. In many cases Kelly is an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh (Irish pronunciation: [oː ˈcal̪ˠiː]), which means "descendant of Ceallach", but it can also mean warrior or fighter. Matthew is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 986K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Matthew reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Matthew

Meaning: gift of God

Hebrew

From the Greek Matthaios, from Hebrew Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), meaning "gift of God." Author of the first Gospel.

Surname: Kelly

Meaning: war, strife

Irish

Kelly or O'Kelly is a surname of Irish origin. It derives from the Kings of Uí Maine. The name is a partially anglicised version of older Irish names and has numerous origins, most notably from the Ui Maine. In some cases it is derived from toponyms located in Ireland and Great Britain; in other cases it is derived from patronyms in the Irish language. In many cases Kelly is an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh (Irish pronunciation: [oː ˈcal̪ˠiː]), which means "descendant of Ceallach", but it can also mean warrior or fighter.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Matthew is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 15%
Australia 8%
Canada 9%
Brazil 10%
Israel 6%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Matthew by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Name Variants & Related Names

The name Matthew has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:

  • Matt
  • Matthias
  • Mateo
  • Matteo
  • Mattheus

Notable People Named Matthew Kelly

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Matthew Kelly:

11
Expression Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

11
Soul Urge Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

9
Personality Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Matthew?
The first name Matthew originates from Hebrew. From the Greek Matthaios, from Hebrew Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), meaning "gift of God." Author of the first Gospel.
When was Matthew most popular?
The name Matthew reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Kelly?
The surname Kelly originates from Irish. Kelly or O'Kelly is a surname of Irish origin. It derives from the Kings of Uí Maine. The name is a partially anglicised version of older Irish names and has numerous origins, most notably from the Ui Maine. In some cases it is derived from toponyms located in Ireland and Great Britain; in other cases it is derived from patronyms in the Irish language. In many cases Kelly is an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh (Irish pronunciation: [oː ˈcal̪ˠiː]), which means "descendant of Ceallach", but it can also mean warrior or fighter.
What are the origins of the name Matthew Kelly?
The name Matthew Kelly combines two different traditions: the first name Matthew has Hebrew roots, while the surname Kelly originates from Irish.
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