Matthew vs Riley
Matthew and Riley 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, Matthew was ranked #42 and Riley #108 among boys in Northern Ireland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Matthew was ranked #99 and Riley #44 among boys in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Matthew was ranked #55 and Riley #188 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2023, Matthew was ranked #85 and Riley #68 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Matthew was ranked #73 and Riley #85 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Matthew was ranked #153 and Riley #83 among boys in England and Wales.
Matthew and Riley 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 Riley over time
Matthew and Riley appear together in 5 published lists, across 128 years of shared records. Riley held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Matthew in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 3 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, and Riley in none. 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, Riley moved into the top 50 at #38 in 2015 as Matthew fell out of it to #57, having been #37 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2009, Riley moved ahead of Matthew in England and Wales · Boys — #28 and #33 the year before became #38 and #29.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 28 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Matthew and Riley averaged 22.0 places apart, ending at #85 and #68.
- Longest-running competitions
Matthew and Riley were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #153 and #83.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Matthew held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Riley in 17.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #6 in 1996, Riley #8 in 2012.
The order changed in 2009: Riley moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #28 and #33; by 2009 that had become #38 and #29.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Matthew #153, Riley #83.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys28 shared years, 1996–2023
Matthew held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Riley in 17.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #4 in 1996, Riley #6 in 2008.
The order changed in 2007: Riley moved ahead. In 2006 they stood at #14 and #21; by 2007 that had become #17 and #7.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Matthew #85, Riley #68.
Northern Ireland · Boys24 shared years, 2001–2024
Matthew held the stronger position in 24 of those years, Riley in 0.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #1 in 2002, Riley #9 in 2012.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Matthew #42, Riley #108.
New Zealand · Boys23 shared years, 2000–2023
Matthew held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Riley in 15.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #5 in 2000, Riley #6 in 2008.
The order changed in 2015: Riley moved ahead. In 2014 they stood at #37 and #42; by 2015 that had become #57 and #38.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Matthew #99, Riley #44.
Republic of Ireland · Boys23 shared years, 2002–2025
Matthew held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Riley in 0.
Highest recorded here: Matthew #15 in 2007, Riley #101 in 2012.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Matthew #55, Riley #188.
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 Riley
Pairs where Riley shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Amelia vs Riley
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Girls within 2 years — Amelia #1 in 2019, Riley #29 in 2021.
Amelia · Riley · 17 shared years, 2004–2023 · Peaked in the same years
- Harry vs Riley
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Harry #1 in 2011, Riley #8 in 2012.
Harry · Riley · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Isla vs Riley
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Girls within 2 years — Isla #1 in 2020, Riley #29 in 2021.
Isla · Riley · 17 shared years, 2004–2023 · Peaked in the same years
- Liam vs Riley
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Liam #1 in 2010, Riley #6 in 2008.
Liam · Riley · 24 shared years, 2000–2023 · Peaked in the same years
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one moved ahead of the other.
- Emily vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Emily in England and Wales · Girls — #3 and #5 the year before became #5 and #1.
Emily · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sophie vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Sophie in England and Wales · Girls — #2 and #5 the year before became #6 and #1.
Sophie · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sarah vs Angela
In 1974, Sarah moved ahead of Angela in New Zealand · Girls — #6 and #5 the year before became #1 and #6.
Sarah · Angela · 36 shared years, 1958–1998 · One moved ahead of the other
- Emma vs Aoife
In 2003, Emma moved ahead of Aoife in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #4 and #2 the year before became #1 and #3.
Emma · Aoife · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
Other pairs from New South Wales, Australia lists
Pairs measured inside New South Wales, Australia's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Thomas vs Edward
Over 70 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Edward fell — from #44 and #48 in 1952 to #13 and #75 in 2025.
Thomas · Edward · 70 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Alexander vs Edward
Over 67 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Edward fell — from #80 and #48 in 1952 to #22 and #75 in 2025.
Alexander · Edward · 67 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thomas vs Andrew
Over 63 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #44 and #51 in 1952 to #8 and #89 in 2016.
Thomas · Andrew · 63 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
- Andrew vs Alexander
Over 60 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #51 and #80 in 1952 to #89 and #9 in 2016.
Andrew · Alexander · 60 shared years, 1952–2016 · 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 | Matthew | Riley |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | An Irish surname (variant of Reilly) or an English surname meaning 'rye clearing' — its use as a first name is relatively modern, dating from the 1980s-90s. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Irish/English (surname origin), dual tradition |
| Pronunciation | /ˈmæθ.juː/ | /ˈɹaɪ.li/ |
| 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, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #55 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #66 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Matthew is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while Riley is recorded with a Irish/English (surname origin), dual tradition origin.
- Matthew and Riley both have 2 syllables.
- Matthew's recorded meaning differs from Riley's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, 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
Riley
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #1755 among girls in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #6 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2008 (recorded 1996–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #186 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls