Matei is a distinctive boys' name in United States, ranking #6681 in 2025 with 13 recorded births. This places Matei in the top 48% of ranked US boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Rare. The name reached its all-time peak in 2019 with 19 births ranking #5086. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 116.7%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 131,390 boys born was named Matei. RISING Recent data shows the name is currently rising.
Matei is a Romanian form of Matthew and shares the familiar meaning gift of God. It feels warm, classic, and gently distinctive outside Romania.
The name belongs to the wide European Matthew family, which spread through biblical tradition and local language forms. Matei keeps that heritage while sounding fresh in English-speaking settings.