Mate is of Latin origin and means "friend" or "equal". It was originally used as a term of endearment between men, but later became popular as a given name for boys in various countries. The name Mate is simple, short, and easy to pronounce, making it a practical choice for parents who prefer straightforward and uncomplicated names. It has been used throughout history, with notable figures bearing the name including Mateo Alaluf, an Argentine football manager, and Mateusz Klich, a Polish professional footballer. In some languages, such as Hungarian and Basque, Mate is also used as a given name for girls, adding to its versatility across cultures.
The name Mate experienced a notable resurgence in popularity between the years 2016 and 2020, with consistently high numbers of births each year (ranging from 5 to 8). Prior to this period, there were intervals of several years without any recorded births of this name. The total number of births over these decades is 74.