Mathew or Matthew: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Mathew and Matthew are both used as personal names, but Matthew is the standard and much more common spelling.

Mathew is a less common variant, and it is still a valid spelling when it appears as someone’s chosen or legal name.

The confusion exists because both forms have the same origin, meaning, and pronunciation, while only one has the traditional spelling with two “t” letters.

This guide explains the difference between Mathew and Matthew, their history, spelling patterns, and use in British and American English.

You will also learn which spelling to choose, how to avoid common mistakes, and how each form appears in everyday writing.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Matthew is the standard spelling of the name.

Mathew is a recognized variant, but it is much less common.

The traditional spelling is:

Matthew

The less common variant is:

Mathew

Both names are usually pronounced the same way:

Matthew: /ˈmæθ.juː/
Mathew: /ˈmæθ.juː/

For example:

Matthew is joining us for dinner.
Matthew submitted his application yesterday.
Mathew Smith is the name shown on the document.

The key point is simple: if you are choosing the name for general writing, Matthew is normally the best choice. However, if a person’s name is legally or personally spelled Mathew, you should always use their exact spelling.

Mathew vs Matthew at a glance

Spelling	Correct?	Commonness	Typical use
Matthew	Yes	Very common	Standard personal name
Mathew	Yes	Less common	Variant personal name
Matheu	Rare	Very rare	Unusual variant
Matheww	No	Incorrect	Typographical error

There is no difference in meaning between Mathew and Matthew when they are used as names. The main difference is spelling and popularity.

The Origin of Mathew or Matthew

The name Matthew has a long history. It comes from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, which means “gift of God.”

The name passed through several languages before reaching its modern English form. The Hebrew form was adapted into Greek as Matthaios and later into Latin as Matthaeus. From Latin, the name developed into forms used in many European languages, including the English Matthew.

The traditional English spelling contains two “t” letters:

Matthew

The spelling can be broken down as:

Matt + hew

However, the modern pronunciation does not sound like the separate parts. It is usually pronounced MATH-yoo.

The form Mathew developed as a spelling variant. In names, spelling can change over time because of regional habits, family traditions, personal preference, or simplified spelling.

This is why both forms can be found today.

Why does Matthew have two “t” letters?

The double “t” is connected to the historical development of the name. The name came into English through older forms that preserved the double consonant.

The spelling Matthew became the established English form.

Mathew removes one of the “t” letters but keeps the same basic sound and meaning.

This is similar to many personal names that have more than one accepted spelling. A person’s name does not have to follow the most common spelling to be correct.

For example:

Matthew Johnson is correct if that is his name.
Mathew Johnson is also correct if that is his legal or chosen spelling.

The spelling of a person’s name should always be treated as an important detail.

British English vs American English Spelling

There is no major British English vs American English spelling difference between Matthew and Mathew.

In both varieties of English, Matthew is the traditional and more common spelling.

English variety	Common spelling	Variant spelling	Pronunciation
British English	Matthew	Mathew	Usually the same
American English	Matthew	Mathew	Usually the same
Canadian English	Matthew	Mathew	Usually the same
Australian English	Matthew	Mathew	Usually the same
New Zealand English	Matthew	Mathew	Usually the same

This is important because some spelling questions have a clear US-versus-UK difference. For example, British English often uses colour, while American English uses color.

That does not happen with Matthew.

You do not need to change Matthew to Mathew because you are writing for a British audience. Likewise, you do not need to change Mathew to Matthew simply because you are writing for an American audience.

Personal names work differently from ordinary vocabulary.

If someone’s name is Mathew, changing it to Matthew would be a spelling error even if Matthew is more common.

British and American examples

British English:

Matthew is studying at a university in London.

American English:

Matthew is studying at a university in New York.

The spelling remains the same.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

For most situations, use Matthew.

It is the standard English spelling and the form most readers will expect.

Use Mathew when it refers to a person whose name is specifically spelled that way.

For US readers

Use Matthew unless you are writing about someone named Mathew.

For example:

Matthew McDonald
Matthew is my colleague.
Please contact Matthew about the meeting.

If the person’s actual name is Mathew, keep the spelling:

Mathew sent the report.
Please contact Mathew about the meeting.

For UK and Commonwealth readers

The same rule applies.

Matthew is the standard spelling, but Mathew can be a person’s genuine name.

Do not assume that every person named Matthew uses the traditional spelling.

For professional writing

Accuracy matters most in professional documents.

Always copy a person’s name exactly as they provide it.

This is especially important for:

Emails
Contracts
CVs
Certificates
Invoices
Legal documents
Academic records
Business documents
News reports
Social media profiles

If a customer signs their name Mathew, do not automatically change it to Matthew.

Common Mistakes with Mathew or Matthew

The biggest mistake is assuming that Mathew is always wrong.

It is not.

Mathew can be a valid personal name. It is simply less common than Matthew.

Mistake 1: Writing Mathew when Matthew is intended

Incorrect:

I met Mathew at the conference.

If the person’s name is actually Matthew, the spelling should be:

I met Matthew at the conference.

Mistake 2: Changing Mathew to Matthew

If someone’s official name is Mathew, changing it to Matthew is also incorrect.

Correct:

Mathew Brown signed the form.

Do not change the spelling just because Matthew is more common.

Mistake 3: Adding an extra letter

Some people may accidentally write unusual forms such as:

Mattheww
Mattheu
Mathew
Mathewth

The standard spelling is:

Matthew

Mistake 4: Confusing spelling with pronunciation

Both Matthew and Mathew are generally pronounced the same way.

The difference is mainly visual.

Mistake 5: Using the wrong spelling in official documents

A small spelling difference can create problems in official records.

For example, if a passport says Mathew, a form that says Matthew may not match the official record.

Always check the original document when accuracy matters.

Mathew or Matthew in Everyday Examples

Both forms can appear in everyday writing, but Matthew is much more likely to appear as the general spelling.

In emails

Standard spelling:

Hi Matthew,
Please review the attached document before Friday.

If the recipient’s name is Mathew:

Hi Mathew,
Please review the attached document before Friday.

The correct choice depends on the person’s actual name.

In news writing

A news report may say:

Matthew said the team is ready for the next match.

If the person is officially named Mathew:

Mathew said the team is ready for the next match.

Professional journalism should preserve the person’s real name.

On social media

People may use either form:

Happy birthday, Matthew!

or:

Happy birthday, Mathew!

Social media often contains personal spelling choices, so the person’s profile is a useful guide.

In formal writing

Use the exact spelling of the person’s name:

The report was prepared by Matthew Wilson.

or:

The report was prepared by Mathew Wilson.

In school writing

If you are referring to the biblical book, use Matthew:

The Gospel of Matthew is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament.

This is different from writing someone’s personal name.

Mathew or Matthew – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search interest generally favors Matthew by a wide margin because it is the traditional English spelling and a long-established personal name.

Search trends for names can change based on several factors, including famous people, entertainment, sports, news events, and regional naming patterns.

The difference is especially clear when people search for the correct spelling of the name. Matthew is usually the first form people expect when they hear the name.

Mathew receives less search interest because it is a less common variant.

However, search popularity does not decide whether a person’s name is correct.

For example, if someone is legally named Mathew, the fact that Matthew is more popular does not make the person’s spelling wrong.

General usage comparison

Form	General popularity	Standard English spelling	Valid personal name
Matthew	Very high	Yes	Yes
Mathew	Lower	Variant	Yes

When using Google Trends or another search tool, remember that search volume can reflect many things besides spelling preference. A popular person, actor, athlete, writer, or public figure can temporarily increase searches for one spelling.

For everyday English, however, Matthew remains the safer default.

Mathew vs Matthew: Comparison Table

Feature	Mathew	Matthew
Correct spelling	Yes, as a name	Yes
Standard English form	Less common	Yes
Meaning	Gift of God	Gift of God
Origin	Same name family	Hebrew
Pronunciation	Usually /ˈmæθ.juː/	Usually /ˈmæθ.juː/
Double “t”	No	Yes
Common in English	Less common	Much more common
Used in the UK	Yes	Yes
Used in the US	Yes	Yes
Suitable for formal writing	Yes, when it is the person’s name	Yes
Best general choice	No	Yes

The easiest rule is:

Use Matthew as the standard spelling, but use Mathew when that is the person’s actual name.

Why Is Matthew More Common Than Mathew?

There are several reasons.

First, Matthew is the traditional English form of the name. It has been used for centuries in English-speaking communities.

Second, the spelling is strongly connected with the biblical name Matthew. This has helped keep the traditional form stable.

Third, names are often passed through families. A family may continue using Matthew for generations.

Mathew is a shorter spelling variant. It has also been used as a real personal name, but it has never become as common as Matthew in general English use.

This difference in popularity does not mean that Mathew is a misspelling in every situation.

Names are personal identifiers, so the correct spelling is the spelling used by the individual.

Easy Way to Remember Matthew

A simple memory trick is:

Matthew has two Ts.

Think:

Ma + tt + hew = Matthew

Remember the double t in the middle.

If you are writing the common English form of the name, choose Matthew.

If you are writing about a specific person, check their name first.

Is Mathew a Misspelling of Matthew?

Not always.

If you intend to write the traditional English name, then Mathew may be considered a misspelling of Matthew.

But if a person’s name is legally or personally spelled Mathew, it is not a misspelling.

For example:

Matthew is my brother.

If his name is officially Matthew, this is correct.

But:

Mathew is my brother.

is also correct if his name is officially Mathew.

The important difference is intended spelling versus personal spelling.

FAQS

Is Matthew or Mathew correct?

Matthew is the standard and more common English spelling. Mathew is also used as a personal-name variant.

Is Mathew a real name?

Yes. Mathew is a real personal name and can be a person’s official spelling.

Is Matthew more common than Mathew?

Yes. Matthew is much more common in English-speaking countries than Mathew.

Do Mathew and Matthew sound the same?

Usually, yes. Both are generally pronounced MATH-yoo.

Does Mathew have the same meaning as Matthew?

Yes. Both forms come from the same name tradition and are associated with the meaning “gift of God.”

Is Matthew a British or American spelling?

Matthew is used in both British and American English. There is no major US-versus-UK spelling difference for this name.

Should I correct someone who spells their name Mathew?

No. If their name is officially Mathew, that is the correct spelling for that person. Personal names should be written exactly as their owners use them.

Conclusion

Matthew is the standard English spelling, while Mathew is a less common but valid variant used as a personal name.

The main rule is to use Matthew when you need the traditional spelling, but always use Mathew when that is the person’s official or preferred name.

The practical takeaway is simple: remember that the standard form has two “t” letters, but never change someone’s personal spelling without checking it first.

If you want to explore another common spelling question, read our related guide on “Mathew or Matthew” alongside other confusing name and spelling pairs.