Matheu
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 214 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 6 letters and two syllables, Matheu hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1975, with 214 total recorded births.
Matheu is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Matheu is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Matheu is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, an Old French or medieval form of Matthew, derived from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of God.' This spelling reflects the name's appearance in medieval European documents before standardization.
Matthew was the name of one of the twelve apostles and the author of the first Gospel, giving the name deep Christian significance. Matheu's medieval spelling connects directly to the historical forms of this enduring biblical name.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Matheu's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Matheu softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Matheu's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Matheu has 21+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1975.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 18 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 128 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 63 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | — |
The Story of Matheu
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2006, Matheu is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Matheu are most likely born between 1996 and 2015.
How rare is Matheu?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Matheu is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 128 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Matheu by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(21 years, 1975–2015)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | #11613 |
| 2014 | 5 | #13344 |
| 2012 | 7 | #10392 |
| 2009 | 11 | #7535 |
| 2008 | 17 | #5407 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8666 |
| 2006 | 21 | #4451 |
| 2005 | 6 | #10997 |
| 2004 | 17 | #4925 |
| 2003 | 11 | #6561 |
| 2002 | 10 | #6872 |
| 2001 | 14 | #5314 |
| 2000 | 12 | #5784 |
| 1999 | 11 | #5911 |
| 1998 | 6 | #9232 |
| 1996 | 11 | #5412 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6771 |
| 1994 | 10 | #5743 |
| 1993 | 7 | #7330 |
| 1991 | 10 | #5369 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matheu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Matheu most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2015