Mateo

A Spanish-form name traditionally linked to the biblical name Matthew.

Mateo is a masculine given name that’s firmly established in Spanish-language usage and widely familiar internationally. In everyday references, it’s commonly described as a Spanish form of Matthew, which helps explain why it feels recognizable across languages even when spelled differently. Etymology notes can vary depending on whether a source traces the name through Spanish usage or further back through biblical-language forms. For practical purposes, Mateo functions as a stable Spanish given name; you may also see the related spelling Matteo in Italian contexts. Pronunciation is often rendered as mah-TAY-oh, with three clear syllables. A practical tip is to keep the middle syllable stressed (“TAY”) and to note that the final -o is a distinct syllable rather than being swallowed.

Etymology: Used in Spanish as Mateo; commonly explained as the Spanish form of Matthew, whose deeper biblical-language etymology is discussed differently across sources.