Matthieu

Matthieu is a French masculine given name, derived from the Hebrew Mattityahu, via the Greek and Latin forms of Matthew. The name means “gift of Yahweh” or “gift of God.” In French, Matthieu is one spelling variant of the name, with Mathieu being a more common spelling in many contexts; both are used in Francophone regions, and Matthieu can carry a slightly more formal or regional feel.

Historically, Matthieu is associated with Saint Matthieu (Saint Matthew), one of the twelve apostles and the author of the Gospel of Matthew; the name has appeared in French texts since the Middle Ages.

Geographic usage is predominantly in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada (especially Quebec), and other Francophone communities. In contemporary France, Mathieu is widely used, while Matthieu persists as a traditional spelling in some families and official contexts.

Notable people named Matthieu include Matthieu Ricard (born 1946), a French Buddhist monk, writer, and photographer; and Matthieu Chedid (born 1971), a French singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known by the stage name -M-.