What does Mateus mean and where does it come from?
Mateus is the Portuguese form of the name Matthew, which originates from the Hebrew name 'Mattityahu' (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), meaning 'gift of God'. Its popularity in Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Portugal is significant. Variants of the name are found in several cultures, including Mateo in
Cultural significance
Mateus has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Portugal-speaking communities, where it reflects values of gift of god.
Peak popularity
Reached #2467 in 2007 — currently #2675 in the US.
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Related Reading
Portugal-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Mateus?
Mateus works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Mateus Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Mateus Rose
Floral · soft ending
Mateus Mae
Sweet · timeless
Mateus Claire
French influence · crisp
Mateus Jane
Literary · strong
Mateus Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Mateus right now?
Rising fast — up 517 spots — currently #2675 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #2675 | 49 | ▲ up 517 · +29% births |
| 2022 | #3192 | 38 | ▼ down 618 · -25% births |
| 2021 | #2574 | 51 | ▲ up 315 · +24% births |
| 2020 | #2889 | 41 | ▲ up 233 · +11% births |
| 2015 | #3122 | 37 | ▼ down 113 · -5% births |
| 2010 | #3009 | 39 | ▲ up 685 · +50% births |
| 2005 | #3694 | 26 | ▲ up 1068 · +63% births |
| 2000 | #4762 | 16 | ▲ up 2197 · +100% births |
| 1995 | #6959 | 8 | — |
The story of Mateus
Mateus is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1994. With 768 total births recorded, Mateus remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #6959 in 1995 to #2675 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Mateus in 2007:
Mateus by decade
Mateus peaked in the 2000s. See all 2000s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1990s | 48 | |
| 2000s | 300 | |
| 2010s ★ | 379 | |
| 2020s | 41 | |
💎Mateus has only 768 total recorded births since 1994 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Mateus?
ENGLISH
MatMattMattieMatty
What names sound and feel like Mateus?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Mateus also consider these
How is Mateus written in other languages?
What are the girl versions of Mateus?
Common questions about the name Mateus
What does the name Mateus mean?
Mateus means "gift of God" — a name rooted in Portugal tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Mateus?
Mateus is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Mateus have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Mateus?
Mateus originates from Portugal tradition. Portugal names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Mateus?
Mateus is a two-syllable name pronounced M EY1 T AH1 S. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Mateus trending right now?
Mateus is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.