How to say it
ma · TAY · oh
mɑˈteɪ.oʊ
Masculine
Mateo
Gift of God
What it means
Spanish form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Mattityahu. The roots are mattan (gift) and yahu (God).
The Apostle Matthew, gospel writer and former tax collector, kept the name central across Christian tradition. Italian Matteo, Spanish Mateo, and French Mathieu are all forms of the same Hebrew name. Mateo (single T) has surged in US use through the 2010s and 2020s. Some of the growth comes from Latino communities choosing the Spanish form over the English Matthew; some is broader cross-cultural adoption. Currently US top fifty for boys. The Spanish pronunciation is closer to mah-TEH-oh; the Anglicized mah-TAY-oh is also common. Common short forms: Teo, Mat.
How to spell Mateo
The standard spelling is Mateo. Common variants include Matteo, Matthew, Mathieu, Mattheus, but Mateo is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #6 in 2023, currently #8 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
mah-TAY-oh, with the stress on the middle syllable. Three syllables.
- Spelling
Mateo is the Spanish and Portuguese form; Matteo with two T's is the Italian form. Same root as Matthew.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Mateo Kovacic Croatian footballer and Champions League winner
Spelling variants
- Matteo
- Matthew
- Mathieu
- Mattheus
Names with the same feeling
See Mateo from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Mateo mean?
- Spanish form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Mattityahu. The roots are mattan (gift) and yahu (God).
- What does Mateo mean in Spanish?
- In Spanish, Mateo means "Gift of God." The Apostle Matthew, gospel writer and former tax collector, kept the name central across Christian tradition. Italian Matteo, Spanish Mateo, and French Mathieu are all forms of the same Hebrew name. Mateo (single T) has surged in US use through the 2010s and 2020s. Some of the growth comes from Latino communities choosing the Spanish form over the English Matthew; some is broader cross-cultural adoption. Currently US top fifty for boys. The Spanish pronunciation is closer to mah-TEH-oh; the Anglicized mah-TAY-oh is also common. Common short forms: Teo, Mat.
- How do you pronounce Mateo?
- Mateo is pronounced mɑˈteɪ.oʊ. Say it as ma-TAY-oh, with the stress on the "tay" syllable.
- How do you spell Mateo?
- The standard spelling is Mateo. Common spelling variants include Matteo, Matthew, Mathieu, Mattheus.
- Is Mateo a boy or girl name?
- Mateo is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Mateo?
- Mateo ranked #8 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.