Matea

Meaning & origin

Matea is a feminine name of Slavic origin, primarily used in Croatia and Serbia. It entered the United States naming pool in 1922 but remained very rare for decades. Its popularity surged in the early 2000s, peaking in 2006, and has since declined. In 2025, it ranked 9,457, with approximately 1 in 160,727 girls receiving the name, placing it well outside the top 1,000. The name carries strong cultural and religious ties, as it is a variant of the biblical name Matthew. While never a common choice in the U.S., its usage reflects the influence of Slavic diaspora communities. The trajectory shows a steady fall since 2007, echoing the broader trend of declining popularity for many traditional Slavic names in the United States.

Matea is a feminine given name common in Croatia, Serbia, and other Slavic countries. It is a variant of Mateja, itself derived from the New Testament name Matthew (from Hebrew Mattityahu), meaning "gift of God." The name has been in use since the medieval period in the Balkans, often associated with Christian traditions. Its popularity has fluctuated but remained steady in the region, with a notable peak in the United States during the 2000s.