"gift of God"
Origin: Hebrew via Italian
Language: English
Maceo
Does Maceo flow with your last name?
A soulful name with Cuban heroes and jazz legends
Italian
Spanish
African American
American
Bold
Artistic
Modern
Elegant
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Meaning & Origin
"gift of Yahweh"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Maceo
Maceo is an Italian and Spanish given name derived from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning gift of Yahweh or gift of God, the same root as Matthew. It gained particular fame through Cuban general Maceo (Antonio Maceo Grajales), a hero of Cuban independence. In the US, the name gained jazz credibility through Maceo Parker, James Browns legendary saxophonist.
Maceo gained visibility through Maceo Parker, the funky saxophonist who played with James Brown and later formed his own acclaimed band. More recently, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively named their son Maceo in 2023, bringing the name into mainstream celebrity consciousness.
In Cuban culture, Maceo is a heroic name associated with General Antonio Maceo Grajales, known as the Bronze Titan, who fought in both the Ten Years War and the Cuban War of Independence. He is one of Cubas greatest national heroes, making this a name of deep patriotic significance.
Historical Record
Maceo first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,432 babies have been named Maceo in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maceo is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,163 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Antonio Maceo Grajales, known as the Bronze Titan, is one of Cubas greatest independence heroes
- Maceo Parker is a legendary funk saxophonist who played with James Brown for decades
Maceo in Other Languages
Hebrew
מַתִּתְיָהוּ
Italian
Matteo
Spanish
Mateo
Portuguese
Mateus
Popularity Over Time
#2,163
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Maceo
M
Maceo Parker
Musician
1943
American funk and soul saxophonist, longtime collaborator with James Brown
A
Antonio Maceo Grajales
Military
1845
Cuban general and independence hero known as the Bronze Titan
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Compare Maceo with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,163
- Total SSA Count
- 68
- Cultural Origins
- Italian Spanish African American American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mac
Mace
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maceo
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Italian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maceo
What does the name Maceo mean?
"gift of God" (from Hebrew via Italian). "gift of Yahweh" (from Hebrew). Maceo is an Italian and Spanish given name derived from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning gift of Yahweh or gift of God, the same root as Matthew. It gained particular fame through Cuban general Maceo (Antonio Maceo Grajales), a hero of Cuban independence. In the US, the name gained jazz credibility through Maceo Parker, James Browns legendary saxophonist.
What is the origin of the name Maceo?
Maceo has Hebrew via Italian, Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, African American, and American origins. In Hebrew via Italian, it means "gift of God". In Hebrew, it means "gift of Yahweh".
Is Maceo a boy or girl name?
Maceo is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Maceo?
Maceo is currently ranked #2163 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maceo?
Common nicknames for Maceo include Mac and Mace.
What are good middle names for Maceo?
Popular middle name pairings include Maceo James, Maceo Anthony, Maceo Lorenzo, Maceo Rafael, and Maceo David.
What are good sibling names for Maceo?
Names that pair well with Maceo as siblings include Zora, Coltrane, Billie, Mingus, and Josephine.
How many syllables does Maceo have?
Maceo has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Maceo a common or rare name?
Maceo is an uncommon name, ranked #2163 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Maceo?
About the Name Maceo
Maceo is a boy name with Italian, Spanish, African American, and American origins . The name means "gift of God" in Hebrew via Italian .
Maceo is currently ranked #2,163 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Maceo has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Maceo include Mac and Mace. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maceo include Mace, Macen . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis