boys' name · peaked 1917

Mat

A diminutive of the male given name Matthew.

Every Mat since 1880 — 794 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.050.10.150.218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1881Boys
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Mat
Peak year
1917
21 babies
All-time total
794
since 1880

The story of Mat

Mat is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 794 American babies have been named Mat. Its peak came in 1917, when 21 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Mat stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Mat year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013 5 #13,370
2012
2011
2010 6 #11,692
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1995
1990
1985 5 #7,207
1980
1975 7 #4,621
1970 10 #3,200
1965 10 #2,713
1960 12 #2,493
1955
1950 6 #3,560
1945
1940 6 #3,344
1935 6 #3,512
1930 5 #4,354
1925 11 #2,694
1920 9 #3,122
1915 11 #2,398
1910 6 #1,523
1905 8 #977
1900 6 #1,262
1895 10 #729
1890 8 #792
1885 13 #539
1880 16 #455

Famous people named Mat

  1. Matúš Bero Soccer player · b. 1995

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Mat mean?

A diminutive of the male given name Matthew.

How popular is the name Mat in 2025?

Mat did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Mat?

794 babies have been named Mat in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Mat most popular?

Mat peaked in 1917, when 21 newborns received the name.

Is Mat a boy or girl name?

Mat is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Mat rising or falling?

Mat is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Mat?

Well-known people named Mat include Matúš Bero (soccer player).

Names like Mat

Compare Mat with similar names →