Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Mateo
BoySpanish, Hebrew· “gift of God”
- Meaning
- gift of God
- Origin
- Spanish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- mah-TAY-oh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #8
- US babies 2025
- 11,045
- Best rank
- #6 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Mateo
Mateo is a Spanish and Hebrew name that means “gift of God”.
Mateo is the Spanish form of Matthew, which traces back to the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning gift of Yahweh. The name reached Europe through Greek and Latin versions of the Gospels, where Matthew is one of the twelve apostles and the traditional author of the first Gospel. Spanish-speaking countries have used Mateo for centuries, and it has become a favorite across the United States as families look for names that work in both English and Spanish. It is short, rhythmic and warm, with three clear syllables. Teo is the natural nickname, and Matteo is the Italian spelling of the same name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Matteo.
Popularity over time
Mateo first appears in US Social Security records in 1904. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 31 different years, starting in 1995. Its best national rank was #6 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 11,349 were named Mateo. In 2025, 11,045 babies were named Mateo, and it ranked #8 nationally. That is 120% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,533 in 1920, #2,082 in 1950, #2,335 in 1980, #428 in 2000, #222 in 2010, and #8 in 2025. Of the 126,693 US boys named Mateo since records began, 49% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 50,604 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Henry, Theodore, Elias, Ezra, and Luca.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mateo ranked highest in Nevada, California, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #2 | 184 |
| California | #3 | 2,239 |
| Texas | #3 | 2,081 |
| Arizona | #3 | 419 |
| New Mexico | #3 | 99 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Mateo is usually pronounced mah-TAY-oh, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-eo”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Matteo.
Middle names for Mateo
A few middle names that flow with Mateo: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mateo
Similar names
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Lists that include Mateo
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mateo mean?
Mateo is a Spanish and Hebrew name that means “gift of God”.
What is the origin of the name Mateo?
Mateo has Spanish and Hebrew roots. Mateo is the Spanish form of Matthew, which traces back to the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning gift of Yahweh.
Is Mateo a popular name?
Yes. Mateo ranked #8 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Mateo a boy or girl name?
Mateo is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Mateo?
Mateo is usually pronounced mah-TAY-oh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings