"given by Yahweh"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Matheus
Pronunciation: [ m-ATH-oyz ]
Boy Name
#2,398 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
The Portuguese Gospel name meaning God's precious gift
Portuguese
Brazilian
Scandinavian
Latin American
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Sophisticated
Elegant
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Matheus
Matheus is the Portuguese and Scandinavian form of Matthew, which traces back to the Hebrew 'Mattityahu' — a compound of 'mattan' (gift) and 'Yah' (God), meaning 'gift of God.' The name traveled from Hebrew through Greek (Matthaios) to Latin (Matthaeus) and then branched into various European forms. Matheus is particularly dominant in Brazil, where it consistently ranks among the top boys' names.
In Brazil, Matheus has been a top-10 boys' name for decades, often competing with Mateus for the most popular spelling. The name's combination of religious heritage with a sophisticated, international sound has made it perennially popular across Portuguese-speaking countries and increasingly among Hispanic families in the US.
Matthew/Matheus holds significant weight in Christian tradition as one of the twelve apostles and the author of the first Gospel. Saint Matthew is the patron saint of accountants, bankers, and tax collectors. In Brazil, the name has such cultural saturation that entire generations are associated with it.
Fun Facts
- Matheus is consistently one of the top 5 boys' names in Brazil, the world's largest Portuguese-speaking nation
- The Gospel of Matthew is the most-cited Gospel in early Christian writings and church liturgy
Matheus in Other Languages
Greek
Ματθαίος
Latin
Matthaeus
Hebrew
מַתִּתְיָהוּ
Swedish
Matteus
Portuguese
Matheus
Famous People Named Matheus
M
Matheus Cunha
Athlete
2001
Brazilian footballer who plays as a forward for Atlético Madrid and the Brazil national team
M
Matheus Nachtergaele
Actor
1966
Renowned Brazilian actor known for City of God and Central Station
S
Saint Matthew
Religious
One of the twelve apostles of Jesus and author of the Gospel of Matthew, patron saint of accountants
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,398
- Total SSA Count
- 58
- Cultural Origins
- Portuguese Brazilian Scandinavian Latin American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Matt
Matty
Theus
Pairs Well With
Matheus Alexandre
Matheus Gabriel
Matheus Lucas
Matheus Felipe
Matheus Rafael
Matheus Jose
Matheus Paulo
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Matheus
What does the name Matheus mean?
"given by Yahweh" (from Hebrew). Matheus is the Portuguese and Scandinavian form of Matthew, which traces back to the Hebrew 'Mattityahu' — a compound of 'mattan' (gift) and 'Yah' (God), meaning 'gift of God.' The name traveled from Hebrew through Greek (Matthaios) to Latin (Matthaeus) and then branched into various European forms. Matheus is particularly dominant in Brazil, where it consistently ranks among the top boys' names.
What is the origin of the name Matheus?
Matheus has Hebrew, Portuguese, Brazilian, Scandinavian, and Latin American origins. In Hebrew, it means "given by Yahweh".
Is Matheus a boy or girl name?
Matheus is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Matheus?
Matheus is pronounced m-ATH-oyz.
How popular is the name Matheus?
Matheus is currently ranked #2398 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Matheus?
Common nicknames for Matheus include Matt, Matty, and Theus.
What are good middle names for Matheus?
Popular middle name pairings include Matheus Alexandre, Matheus Gabriel, Matheus Lucas, Matheus Felipe, Matheus Rafael, Matheus Jose, and Matheus Paulo.
What are good sibling names for Matheus?
Names that pair well with Matheus as siblings include Isabella, Lukas, Sofia, Rafael, Ana, Thiago, and Laura.
How many syllables does Matheus have?
Matheus has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Matheus a common or rare name?
Matheus is an uncommon name, ranked #2398 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Matheus
Matheus is a boy name with Portuguese, Brazilian, Scandinavian, and Latin American origins . The name means "given by Yahweh" in Hebrew .
Matheus is currently ranked #2,398 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Matheus has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-ATH-oyz, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Matheus include Matt, Matty, and Theus. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Matheus include Mathias, Matheo, Mathew, Mathis, Mathieu . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.