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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mateus

Mateus

♂ Boy

Pronounced mah-TAY-oos /mɐˈtews/High

Meaning: Gift of GodHigh

In 30 seconds: Mateus is the Portuguese form of Matthew, meaning 'gift of God.' Popular across Brazil and Portugal, it carries biblical depth with a warm, Latin-world flair.
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Origin HighHebrew, Portuguese
MeaningGift of God
U.S. rank (2025)#2824 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births45 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 993

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200719942025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mateus traces its roots to the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of Yahweh.' Through Latin Matthaeus and then into Portuguese, the name became Mateus. The Apostle Matthew, tax collector turned evangelist, gave the name lasting biblical prestige.

In Brazil, Mateus surged in popularity during the late 20th century, often associated with the festive culture of the northeast. The name appears throughout Portuguese literature and is carried by notable Brazilian athletes and artists, reflecting its broad cultural presence.

Did you know? Mateus is one of the top baby names in Brazil, where it has ranked in the top 20 for several years — a testament to its enduring appeal across the Portuguese-speaking world.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Mateus — Etymology and variant formsIBGE Brazilian Name Database — Popularity data for Brazil

Variations

MatthewMatteoMateoMatthiasMattheus

Nicknames

MattTeusMatty

Famous Bearers

  • ★Mateus Asato (1994–present)
    Brazilian guitarist known for his virtuoso playing and large social-media following.

If you like Mateus…

Matteo— Italian cognate of the same biblical name
Mateo— Spanish cognate with identical meaning
Matthias— Greek form sharing the same Hebrew root
Lazarus— shares the -us ending
Matheus— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Mateus

By themeclassicbiblicalportuguesebraziliangift-of-god
By meaningGod / DivineGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mateus mean?

Mateus means 'gift of God,' derived from the Hebrew Mattityahu through the Portuguese form of Matthew.

How do you pronounce Mateus?

Mateus is pronounced mah-TAY-oos, with stress on the second syllable.

Is Mateus a boy or girl name?

Mateus is a boy's name, the Portuguese and Brazilian form of Matthew.

How popular is Mateus?

Mateus is highly popular in Brazil, regularly ranking among the top baby boy names there, and is also used in Portugal and among diaspora communities.

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