Michael vs. Matthew: which name is older?
The average Michael is 49 and the average Matthew is 36, so Michael is the older name, by about 13 years.
Michael
Matthew
When was each name popular?
Michael peaked first, in 1957 (in the late 1950s). Matthew peaked in 1983, 26 years later.
Which name is more common?
There are about 3.6 million Michaels and about 1.5 million Matthews alive in the US, so there are about 2 times as many Michaels as Matthews.
Boys or girls?
Both are boys' names: over 99% of living Michaels and over 99% of living Matthews are men.
Names the same age as Michael
Names the same age as Matthew
More comparisons: Mathew vs. Matthew
Think you can guess a Michael's age?
Ten names, one slider each. Share your score.
Michael or Matthew: questions
Which is older, Michael or Matthew?
The average Michael is 49 and the average Matthew is 36, so Michael is the older name, by about 13 years.
How old is the average Michael?
The average Michael in the US is 49; half of all living Michaels are between 36 and 64.
How old is the average Matthew?
The average Matthew in the US is 36; half of all living Matthews are between 26 and 46.
Which is more common, Michael or Matthew?
There are about 3.6 million Michaels and about 1.5 million Matthews alive in the US, so there are about 2 times as many Michaels as Matthews.
Estimates from Social Security Administration baby-name records (births 1880–2025) and SSA cohort life tables (2026 Trustees Report). How we calculate this