Finn vs Matthew
Finn and Matthew compared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Finn was ranked #15 and Matthew #42 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Finn was ranked #15 and Matthew #55 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Finn was ranked #17 and Matthew #73 among boys in Scotland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Finn was ranked #32 and Matthew #99 among boys in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2023, Finn was ranked #45 and Matthew #85 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Finn was ranked #74 and Matthew #153 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2023, Finn was ranked #141 and Matthew #421 among boys in Norway.
Finn and Matthew over time
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Finn and Matthew over time
Finn and Matthew appear together in 6 published lists, across 189 years of shared records. Matthew held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Finn in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 5 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Matthew reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, Finn in 1. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One took the other's place near the top
In New Zealand · Boys, Finn moved into the top 50 at #37 in 2015 as Matthew fell out of it to #57, having been #37 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2018, Finn moved ahead of Matthew in England and Wales · Boys — #96 and #67 the year before became #76 and #82.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Finn and Matthew changed places 4 times in Norway · Boys between 1966 and 2023, ending at #141 and #421.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 25 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Finn and Matthew averaged 36.0 places apart, ending at #32 and #99.
- Longest-running competitions
Finn and Matthew were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #74 and #153.
List by list
Norway · Boys47 shared years, 1966–2023
Finn held the stronger position in 45 of those years, Matthew in 2.
Highest recorded here: Finn #73 in 1966, Matthew #267 in 1985.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Finn #141, Matthew #421.
Republic of Ireland · Boys41 shared years, 1982–2025
Finn held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Matthew in 31.
Highest recorded here: Finn #6 in 2020, Matthew #15 in 2007.
The order changed in 2016: Finn moved ahead. In 2015 they stood at #30 and #27; by 2016 that had become #20 and #29.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Finn #15, Matthew #55.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Finn held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Matthew in 22.
Highest recorded here: Finn #72 in 2021, Matthew #6 in 1996.
The order changed in 2018: Finn moved ahead. In 2017 they stood at #96 and #67; by 2018 that had become #76 and #82.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Finn #74, Matthew #153.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Finn held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Matthew in 22.
Highest recorded here: Finn #7 in 2020, Matthew #1 in 1997.
The order changed in 2019: Finn moved ahead. In 2018 they stood at #18 and #11; by 2019 that had become #11 and #16.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Finn #15, Matthew #42.
New Zealand · Boys25 shared years, 1998–2023
Finn held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Matthew in 16.
Highest recorded here: Finn #25 in 2020, Matthew #2 in 1998.
The order changed in 2015: Finn moved ahead. In 2014 they stood at #58 and #37; by 2015 that had become #37 and #57.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Finn #32, Matthew #99.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys18 shared years, 2005–2023
Finn held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Matthew in 10.
Highest recorded here: Finn #39 in 2017, Matthew #10 in 2005.
The order changed in 2016: Finn moved ahead. In 2015 they stood at #64 and #52; by 2016 that had become #44 and #53.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Finn #45, Matthew #85.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Finn
Pairs where Finn shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Finn vs Arild
In 1945 they stood at #31 and #32 in Norway · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #153 and #489.
Finn · Arild · 75 shared years, 1945–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Finn vs Aksel
Finn and Aksel were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #153 and #25.
Finn · Aksel · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Anders vs Finn
Anders and Finn were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #293 and #153.
Anders · Finn · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Andreas vs Finn
Andreas and Finn were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #96 and #153.
Andreas · Finn · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
Other comparisons involving Matthew
Pairs where Matthew shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Matthew vs Ashley
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Matthew #1 in 1990, Ashley #53 in 1989.
Matthew · Ashley · 11 shared years, 1984–1995 · Peaked in the same years
- Matthew vs Barry
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Boys within 2 years — Matthew #1 in 1997, Barry #90 in 1997.
Matthew · Barry · 21 shared years, 1997–2022 · Peaked in the same years
- Matthew vs Ben
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — Matthew #1 in 1982, Ben #41 in 1981.
Matthew · Ben · 26 shared years, 1976–2004 · Peaked in the same years
- Matthew vs Bradley
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Boys within 2 years — Matthew #1 in 1997, Bradley #68 in 1998.
Matthew · Bradley · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Peaked in the same years
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from New Zealand lists
Pairs measured inside New Zealand's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- George vs Patrick
Over 64 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, George rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #50 and #60 in 1954 to #6 and #93 in 2020.
George · Patrick · 64 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- Patrick vs Alexander
Over 56 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #60 and #73 in 1954 to #93 and #32 in 2020.
Patrick · Alexander · 56 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- James vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, James rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #20 and #61 in 1954 to #5 and #100 in 2005.
James · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
- Joseph vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Joseph rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #66 and #61 in 1954 to #27 and #100 in 2005.
Joseph · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- Grace vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #4867.
Grace · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ella vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #56 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #46 and #4867.
Ella · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jasmine vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #55 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #102 and #4867.
Jasmine · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #47 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #142 and #4867.
Anna · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Finn | Matthew |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Traditionally associated with the Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhaill; functions as the usual Anglicised spelling of the Irish name Fionn. | From Greek Matthaios, from Hebrew Mattithiah, combining 'mattat' (gift) with 'Yahweh' — 'gift of God'. Matthew was a tax collector and one of the twelve apostles, traditionally credited as author of the first Gospel. |
| Origin | Irish | Biblical Hebrew |
| Pronunciation | /fɪn/ | /ˈmæθ.juː/ |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #15 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #55 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Finn is recorded with a Irish origin, while Matthew is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin.
- Finn has 1 syllable, compared with 2 for Matthew.
- Finn's recorded meaning differs from Matthew's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Finn
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #31 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1982–2025
Highest recorded position: #6 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2020 (recorded 1982–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #74 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Matthew
Popularity journey
First recorded1957
First recorded at #78 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1957 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1957–2023
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1982 (recorded 1957–2023).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #153 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys