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Sebastián vs Mateo

Which is more popular?
Mateo is more popular than Sebastián today: about 11,045 US babies were given the name Mateo in 2025, compared with 8,605 named Sebastián.
SebastiánMateo
Meaning venerable, revered gift of God
Origin spanish spanish
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation seh-bah-stee-AHN ma-TEH-o
Syllables 3 3
First appeared18811904
Peak year2016 (10,309)2024 (11,349)
In 20258,60511,045
TrendRisingNear its peak
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Sebastián Mateo
1900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeSebastiánMateo
2020s 53,454 62,272
2010s 86,688 50,604
2000s 53,866 10,490
1990s 14,599 2,010
1980s 2,839 370
1970s 1,413 285
1960s 1,113 102
1950s 500 116
1940s 574 112
1930s 774 102
1920s 1,231 162
1910s 838 63
1900s 89 5
1890s 43 0
1880s 34 0

What does Sebastián mean?

The Spanish form of Sebastian, from the Latin Sebastianus 'from the city of Sebaste', whose name derives from the Greek sebastos 'venerable, revered' (the Greek equivalent of the imperial title Augustus). Borne by the early Christian martyr Saint Sebastian.

What does Mateo mean?

The Spanish form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of Yahweh' (mattan 'gift' + Yah, a name of God). It reached Spanish through the Greek Matthaios and Latin Matthaeus, the name of the apostle and gospel-writer.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sebastián or Mateo more popular?

Mateo is more popular than Sebastián today: about 11,045 US babies were given the name Mateo in 2025, compared with 8,605 named Sebastián.

What is the difference between Sebastián and Mateo?

Sebastián means venerable, revered (spanish origin), while Mateo means gift of God (spanish origin).

Which name is older, Sebastián or Mateo?

In US records, Sebastián first appears in 1881 and Mateo in 1904, so Sebastián has the longer recorded history.