Why Is Every Gay Guy Named Matt?

Close your eyes and imagine a gay man in his 20s or 30s at the club and guess his name — If you thought of Matt or Matthew, you’re not alone.

Why is every gay guy named Matt? We explored this unique observation and found that the ‘gay Matt epidemic’ is more prevalent than you might think.

The Rise of Gay Matts

We love Matts, and Matthew is a storied name. It originates from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, which means “gift of God.” Matthew has become one of the most popular names in America.

Looking back to the 80s and 90s, Matthew was the third most popular name for baby boys. Though the name now sits in the mid-thirties on lists like The Bump’s ‘Top 100 Baby Boy Names in the U.S.,’ the similar-sounding Mateo was ranked seventh.

The Gay Matt Theory

So.Gay has a few ideas as to why there’s been an influx of gay Matts in the queer-o-sphere.

Since many boys born in the 80s and 90s were named Matthew, they’re now at an age where coming out may be easier. Folks in their twenties and thirties have discovered their blooming sexual identities, and many of them just happen to share the name Matt. As people have become more comfortable coming out over time, and with Matthew remaining a common name, it seems inevitable that there would be some overlap.

If you go to a gay bar, you’re only a stone’s throw away from meeting a gay guy named Matthew. There are gay Matts everywhere, for those who wish to notice them.

Be on the lookout in queer spaces for anyone named Matthew. Treat it like a Punch Buggy game or an inside joke among friends. The first person to flirt with a Matthew wins a free drink.