Find out how popular the first name Mataeo has been for the last 27 years (from 1997 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mataeo by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Mataeo is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Mataeo.

The history of the first name Mataeo

The name Mataeo is a Spanish variant of the Hebrew name Mattathia or Mattathyah, derived from the word "Mattath" meaning "gift of God". This name has its origins in ancient Judea and is closely associated with the Hasmonean dynasty that ruled over the Jewish kingdom from around 140 BC to 37 BC.

The earliest recorded use of the name Mataeo can be traced back to the biblical figure Mattathias the Hasmonean, a Jewish priest who sparked the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BC. This rebellion ultimately led to the establishment of an independent Jewish kingdom under the Hasmonean dynasty.

In the New Testament, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ is referred to as Matthew, which is the anglicized version of the name Mataeo. According to biblical accounts, Matthew was a tax collector before becoming a disciple of Jesus, and he is credited with authoring the Gospel of Matthew.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mataeo or its variants. One of the most famous is Mateo Alemán (1547-1615), a Spanish novelist and author of the picaresque novel "Guzmán de Alfarache". Another prominent figure is Mateo Ricci (1552-1610), an Italian Jesuit missionary who was instrumental in introducing Western culture and Christianity to China during the late Ming Dynasty.

In the realm of art, Mateo Cerezo (1637-1666) was a Spanish painter known for his religious works and portraits. Mateo Pérez de Alesio (1547-1628) was a Spanish composer and organist during the Renaissance period, celebrated for his sacred music compositions.

Mateo Máximo Guilarte (1766-1824) was a Venezuelan military leader who played a significant role in the Venezuelan War of Independence, fighting alongside Simón Bolívar against the Spanish colonial forces.

While there have been many notable individuals throughout history bearing the name Mataeo or its variants, the name's origins can be traced back to ancient Judea and its connection to the biblical figure Mattathias, making it a name with deep religious and historical significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mataeo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mataeo, please contact us.

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