Origin and Meaning of the Name Mateo

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Do you know a special person with this name? In the following article, we'll tell you all about the origin and meaning of the name Mateo.

Last update: 18 October, 2022

The name Mateo is a name that exudes curiosity and grace, as well as a blend of tradition and modernity. For all these reasons, you are probably wondering about the origin and meaning of Mateo. Do you know anyone with this name? Are you considering deciding on this option to name the future king of your house?

Whatever the reason, if you want to know all these details and more, we invite you to keep reading.

What’s the origin and meaning of the name Mateo?

Mateo is a formidable name that was chosen, from the very beginning, for boys. But nowadays, you can also find the feminine variant Matea. Therefore, some experts maintain that it is the Hellenized variant of Marias, but the most widespread option comes from Hebrew.

It comes from the word mattih yah, composed of the root matt, which means ‘gift’, and the term yah, which refers to the Hebrew God (Yahweh). Therefore, it alludes to ‘God’s great gift’ or ‘God’s own gift’. Therefore, it’s a name linked to people of faith. In fact, it’s the Spanish version of Matthew, one of the apostles chosen by Jesus who appears in the New Testament of the Bible.

Moreover, as mentioned in an article published by the University of Navarra, Mateo is the first author of the four Gospels, and his name still maintains the same strength as then.

A baby boy crawling and smiling. — If you’re looking for a name with personality, history, and style, which is also known around the world, be sure to consider the name Mateo.

Mateo as a saint

In allusion to the above information, the name Mateo as a saint is linked to the apostle Matthew. Therefore, the date on which this figure is celebrated and honored is September 21. So mark this day in your calendar if you know someone who’s been lucky enough to be named this way, or if you want this to be the guardian angel of your future son.

Saint Matthew was a tax collector, known by the people as Matthew the publican, as this was the title given to tax collectors in those times. Therefore, he is the patron saint of all tax collectors, customs officers, tobacconists, and lottery sellers.

Those with the name Mateo can also celebrate the following days, which also celebrate this wonderful name in honor of other saints and blessed who were named after him:

January 7, in honor of Blessed Mateo Guimerá.
January 22, in honor of San Mateo Alonso de Leciñana.
February 6, in honor of Saint Mateo Correa.
May 11, in honor of St. Mateo Le Van Gam.

Famous people named Mateo

Today, the name Mateo is one of the most popular choices for parents in Spanish-speaking countries. This is corroborated by data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), which counts a total of almost 42,000 children with this name in Spain, with an average age of 16 years.

Above all, it has triumphed in the northern areas of Spain, such as Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria. And this isn’t surprising, as it has also spread to different areas of the world. This fact is demonstrated by the following celebrities and historical figures of great renown:

Mateo Alemán: Spanish writer (1547).
Matt LeBlanc: American actor (1967).
Matthew Perry: American actor (1969).
Matt Damon: American actor (1970).
Matt Bomer: American actor (1977).
Mateo Arias: American-Colombian actor (1995).

Compound names and variants of the name Mateo in other languages

As you may have already seen, there are also many variants that have transformed and adapted the name to their different countries, territories, languages, and cultures. Among some of the most striking options are Nentanyahu, Matatyahu, Yahonantan, or Jonathan.

As for diminutives, parents and loved ones usually opt for Matt (a very widespread form in the Anglo-Saxon world), Maty, Teo, among others.

On the other hand, for those parents who want an option that makes it possible to choose a second name to form a compound name, Mateo is a great option. Among them, you can choose from the following:

José Mateo
Juan Mateo
Daniel Mateo
Mateo Alexander
Mateo Jesús
Jeremiah Matthew
James Matthew
Ethan Mateo

A mother kissing her baby boy on the cheek. — Mateo is an ideal option to think of a compound name. Besides, it doesn’t go out of style and doesn’t lose validity in any part of the world.

A great person hides behind the origin and meaning of the name Mateo

We hope all these facts have helped you to value even more the person with this name. And if, on the other hand, you’re the one who has had the great fortune of receiving this name, congratulations! You can feel lucky because your name has an origin full of brave characters and carries a wonderful meaning.