Matteo is an Italian male given name derived from the Latin 'Matthaeus', which means "gift of God". It gained popularity in the Middle Ages through Matthew, one of the twelve apostles in Christianity. In Italian, it is often shortened to Mattia or Mattèo. The name Matteo has a warm and inviting sound, making it a popular choice among parents seeking classic yet approachable names for their sons.
The name Matteo experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 1990s onwards, with a marked increase from around 77 births in 1996 to over 2000 births annually starting from 2015. Prior to this trend, the name's popularity fluctuated considerably over the decades, with notable spikes in the early 1920s and late 1970s, but generally maintaining lower numbers of births per year compared to recent years.