Matthieu Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ma-TEE-uh /mɑːˈtjuː/
Origin: French; Hebrew
Meaning: French: Gift of God; Hebrew: Gift from God
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Matthieu is of Hebrew origin, derived from the name Matityahu, which means "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of God." This name was transliterated into Greek as Matthaios, which subsequently influenced the Latin form Matthaeus. The name made its way into Old French as Matthieu, which is the form that has been adopted into modern French and subsequently into English as Matthew.
The evolution of the name reflects a common pattern in the transmission of biblical names through various languages and cultures, illustrating the interplay between Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and French linguistic traditions. Historically, the name Matthieu is closely associated with Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and traditionally regarded as 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 it played a significant role in the early Christian community. Saint Matthew is often depicted in Christian art and iconography, further solidifying the name's significance in religious contexts.
The veneration of Saint Matthew is celebrated on September 21 in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, marking an important milestone in the historical resonance of the name. Culturally, the name Matthieu carries connotations of faith and divine favor, reflecting its etymological roots.
It has been embraced in various cultures, particularly in French-speaking regions, where it maintains a strong presence. The name's enduring appeal can be attributed to its biblical connections and the positive associations with the figure of Saint Matthew.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Mathieu are commonly used in French-speaking contexts, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry. Overall, Matthieu exemplifies a name with deep historical roots and significant cultural resonance, reflecting its journey through language and time.
Famous people named Matthieu
In this section, you will find notable people named Matthieu. 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 Matthieu who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Matthieu 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.
Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk and author best known for his books on happiness, altruism, and meditation.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Matthieu, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Matthieu. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Matthieu was first seen in the United States in 1971.
Matthieu has ranked as high as #7240 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, New York, Florida, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Matthieu has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Matthieu 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 Matthieu was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Matthieu.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 11 |
| 2024 | 13 | 13 |
| 2023 | 15 | 15 |
| 2022 | 24 | 24 |
| 2021 | 14 | 14 |
| 2020 | 17 | 17 |
| 2019 | 23 | 23 |
| 2018 | 25 | 25 |
| 2017 | 18 | 18 |
| 2016 | 21 | 21 |
| 2015 | 27 | 27 |
| 2014 | 30 | 30 |
| 2013 | 28 | 28 |
| 2012 | 33 | 33 |
| 2011 | 28 | 28 |
| 2010 | 33 | 33 |
| 2009 | 28 | 28 |
| 2008 | 36 | 36 |
| 2007 | 23 | 23 |
| 2006 | 24 | 24 |
| 2005 | 27 | 27 |
| 2004 | 28 | 28 |
| 2003 | 24 | 24 |
| 2002 | 26 | 26 |
| 2001 | 27 | 27 |
| 2000 | 20 | 20 |
| 1999 | 28 | 28 |
| 1998 | 36 | 36 |
| 1997 | 30 | 30 |
| 1996 | 21 | 21 |
| 1995 | 20 | 20 |
| 1994 | 17 | 17 |
| 1993 | 26 | 26 |
| 1992 | 18 | 18 |
| 1991 | 20 | 20 |
| 1990 | 26 | 26 |
| 1989 | 22 | 22 |
| 1988 | 17 | 17 |
| 1987 | 16 | 16 |
| 1986 | 18 | 18 |
| 1985 | 12 | 12 |
| 1984 | 18 | 18 |
| 1983 | 16 | 16 |
| 1982 | 16 | 16 |
| 1981 | 11 | 11 |
| 1980 | 9 | 9 |
| 1979 | 5 | 5 |
| 1978 | 8 | 8 |
| 1977 | 7 | 7 |
| 1976 | 8 | 8 |
| 1974 | 5 | 5 |
| 1971 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Matthieu (2022)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |