Mateo

Mateo is a Latinate name that like Mia and Luca, is becoming popular far beyond its native Spanish community. With its fresh feel and charm, it made a surprise entrance to the boys' Top 10 in 2023.

The Spanish form of Matthew, which derived from the Hebrew name Mattiyahu, Mateo can also be spelled Matteo, technically the Italian variation. Mattiyahu consists of the elements mattan, meaning "gift" and yah, which references the Hebrew God.

Mateo is enormously popular in Spain and Latin America, but it's also a top boys' name in the US along with several other countries in central and eastern Europe. Its approachable spelling and pronunciation for non-Spanish speakers is one reason it's found such widespread favor. Plus it's a fresh spin on dad name Matthew and a shortcut to the stylish short form Teo.

Counting Mateo and Teo along with the similar sounding Theodore and Theo, it's clear parents are loving that eo sound at the moment. More than 11300 babies where given the name Mateo in 2024, while the similar Matteo and Matheo also made the Top 1000.

Actor Colin Firth has a son called Matteo, the Italian form; the Benjamin Bratts have a Mateo.

Matheo is an archaic Spanish spelling, although it is used in France as Mathéo.

Mateo is also given to girls, where it ranks #8679 in the US.

Pronounced muh-TAY-oh.

As of October 2026, Mateo ranked #8 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #6 in 2023, Nameberry popularity #22.