Mateus Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-TAY-us //məˈteɪ.əs//
Origin: Portuguese; Latin; Hebrew
Meaning: gift of God (Hebrew); son of Matthew (Latin); derived from Matheus (Portuguese)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mateus is derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu, which means "gift of God." This name was transliterated into Greek as Matthias (Ματθίας) and later into Latin as Mattheus. The evolution of the name continued through Old French as Mathieu before arriving in English as Matthew and its variants, including Mateus.
The transition into English occurred primarily through the influence of the Christian tradition, particularly during the Middle Ages, when biblical names gained prominence due to the spread of Christianity across Europe. Historically, the name Mateus is closely associated with Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which is one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament.
The Gospel was likely composed in the first century CE, and Saint Matthew is traditionally believed to have been a tax collector before following Jesus. His feast day is celebrated on September 21, and he is often depicted in Christian art as a figure of conversion and divine grace, further solidifying the name's significance in Christian culture.
The name Mateus, along with its variants, has been embraced in various cultures, particularly in Portuguese-speaking countries, where it is a common form. The name carries connotations of faith and divine favor, reflecting its biblical roots.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Mat or Matty have emerged in different cultures, showcasing the name's adaptability and enduring appeal. The historical and cultural resonance of Mateus is rooted in its biblical origins and the legacy of Saint Matthew, making it a name rich in meaning and tradition.
Famous people named Mateus
In this section, you will find notable people named Mateus. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mateus who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mateus who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mateus Leme is a Brazilian footballer best known for playing with clubs like Atlético Mineiro and Internacional.
Mateus Vital is a Brazilian footballer best known for his time with Corinthians and the Brazil U20 national team.
Fictional characters named Mateus
The following list of fictional characters named Mateus is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Mateus is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. He is a prominent figure in the story, known for his strategic mind and leadership skills.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mateus, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mateus was first seen in the United States in 1994.
Mateus has ranked as high as #1336 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, Massachusetts, Florida, New York, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Mateus has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mateus is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mateus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Mateus (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 | |
| FL | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mateus.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2023 | 49 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2021 | 51 |
| 2020 | 41 |
| 2019 | 46 |
| 2018 | 49 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2016 | 38 |
| 2015 | 37 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2013 | 33 |
| 2012 | 29 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2010 | 39 |
| 2009 | 42 |
| 2008 | 47 |
| 2007 | 52 |
| 2006 | 33 |
| 2005 | 26 |
| 2004 | 30 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2001 | 20 |
| 2000 | 16 |
| 1999 | 13 |
| 1998 | 9 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1994 | 5 |