Variant spelling of Matthew, from Hebrew 'Mattityahu' meaning 'gift of God.'
Mathew is a streamlined English spelling of Matthew, a name that descends from the biblical and Hebrew tradition of Mattityahu, usually understood as "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of God." Few names in the English-speaking world have deeper scriptural roots: Saint Matthew the Evangelist made the name central to Christian naming traditions across Europe, and from that single source it spread into dozens of languages and forms. Mathew preserves all of that inheritance while dropping one t, which gives it a slightly leaner, less formal appearance.
Because the dominant spelling in English has long been Matthew, Mathew has often existed as a secondary form rather than the prestige standard. That has shaped its perception. It can feel practical, familial, or regionally inherited, the sort of spelling that persists because a family prefers it or because it has been established in records for generations.
Notable bearers such as actor Mathew Baynton, actor Mathew Horne, and music executive Mathew Knowles show that the form has stayed visible even under the shadow of Matthew. Culturally, the name carries the same biblical steadiness as its commoner sibling, but the altered spelling adds a small note of individuality. Mathew is thus both ancient and contemporary: a scriptural classic wearing a slightly less expected coat.