Matthew vs Michael
Matthew and Michael 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.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Matthew was ranked #55 and Michael #22 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Matthew was ranked #42 and Michael #66 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Matthew was ranked #73 and Michael #66 among boys in Scotland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2023, Matthew was ranked #85 and Michael #82 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Matthew was ranked #153 and Michael #85 among boys in England and Wales.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2022, Matthew was ranked #85 and Michael #95 among boys in New Zealand.
Norway · Boys
In 2023, Matthew was ranked #421 and Michael #205 among boys in Norway.
Matthew and Michael 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.
Matthew and Michael over time
Matthew and Michael appear together in 6 published lists, across 298 years of shared records. Michael held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Matthew in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Michael reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Matthew 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 moved ahead of the other
In 2018, Michael moved ahead of Matthew in England and Wales · Boys — #67 and #68 the year before became #82 and #74.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Matthew and Michael changed places 8 times in New South Wales, Australia · Boys between 1957 and 2023, ending at #85 and #82.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Matthew and Michael averaged 22.9 places apart, ending at #153 and #85.
- Longest-running competitions
Matthew and Michael were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #153 and #85.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Matthew #6 in 1996, Michael #22 in 1996.
List by list
New South Wales, Australia · Boys67 shared years, 1957–2023
Matthew held the stronger position in 33 of those years, Michael in 34.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #1 in 1982, Michael #1 in 1974.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Matthew #85, Michael #82.
New Zealand · Boys64 shared years, 1958–2022
Matthew held the stronger position in 29 of those years, Michael in 35.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #1 in 1990, Michael #1 in 1968.
The order changed in 2022: Matthew moved ahead. In 2021 they stood at #100 and #81; by 2022 that had become #85 and #95.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Matthew #85, Michael #95.
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Matthew held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Michael in 62.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #15 in 2007, Michael #2 in 1966.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Matthew #55, Michael #22.
Norway · Boys47 shared years, 1966–2023
Matthew held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Michael in 47.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #267 in 1985, Michael #48 in 1990.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Matthew #421, Michael #205.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Matthew held the stronger position in 22 of those years, Michael in 8.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #6 in 1996, Michael #22 in 1996.
The order changed in 2018: Michael moved ahead. In 2017 they stood at #67 and #68; by 2018 that had become #82 and #74.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Matthew #153, Michael #85.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Matthew held the stronger position in 27 of those years, Michael in 1.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #1 in 1997, Michael #7 in 1997.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Matthew #42, Michael #66.
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 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 comparisons involving Michael
Pairs where Michael shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Michael vs Jordan
In 1997 they stood at #7 and #6 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2024 they were #66 and #404.
Michael · Jordan · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Michael vs Gerard
In 1964 they stood at #3 and #10 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #22 and #348.
Michael · Gerard · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Michael vs Aksel
Michael and Aksel were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #195 and #25.
Michael · Aksel · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Michael vs Anders
Michael and Anders were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #195 and #293.
Michael · Anders · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — peaked in the same years.
- Jason vs Aaron
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Jason #1 in 1970, Aaron #8 in 1972.
Jason · Aaron · 39 shared years, 1966–2004 · Peaked in the same years
- Ava vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Ava #1 in 2008, Abigail #36 in 2008.
Ava · Abigail · 44 shared years, 1978–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Charlotte vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Charlotte #1 in 2012, Abigail #24 in 2010.
Charlotte · Abigail · 24 shared years, 2002–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Emma vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Emma #1 in 2003, Abigail #29 in 2005.
Emma · Abigail · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Peaked in the same years
Other pairs from Northern Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Northern Ireland's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Charlotte vs Jodie
In 1997 they stood at #72 and #77 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2021 they were #13 and #446.
Charlotte · Jodie · 23 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emily vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #32 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2017 they were #1 and #432.
Emily · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Fiona
In 1997 they stood at #57 and #66 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2017 they were #2 and #432.
Grace · Fiona · 18 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Colin
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #96 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2021 they were #5 and #433.
Oliver · Colin · 21 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
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 | Matthew | Michael |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | 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. | Commonly interpreted as a rhetorical question, 'Who is like God?', implying no one compares to God. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Biblical Hebrew |
| Pronunciation | /ˈmæθ.juː/ | /ˈmaɪkəl/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 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 #55 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #22 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Both Matthew and Michael share a recorded Biblical Hebrew origin.
- Matthew and Michael both have 2 syllables.
- Matthew's recorded meaning differs from Michael'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
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
Michael
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #259 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1974 (recorded 1952–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #85 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys