Mathieu

Meaning of Mathieu

Mathieu, deriving from the Hebrew Mattityahu (‘gift of Yahweh’), followed a philological trajectory through the Greek Matthaios and Latin Mattheus into Old French, where it crystallized as Mathieu; as such, it retains an intrinsic connection to the apostolic figure credited with authoring the eponymous gospel. Within Anglo-American onomastic practice, it is valorized for its synthesis of biblical gravitas and Continental sophistication, appealing to a demographic that prizes both traditional theological connotations and cross-cultural resonance. Statistical analysis of U.S. Social Security data reveals that its annual incidence has oscillated modestly over recent decades, currently registering twenty-five instances in 2024 and occupying the 899th rank, thereby underscoring a pattern of niche yet enduring adoption. The canonical French pronunciation [ma.tjø] is frequently approximated by English speakers in a manner that seeks to preserve phonetic fidelity, further enhancing the name’s cosmopolitan profile.