Boy name · Māori
Matiu
“Māori form of Matthew — gift of God”
Vibes
Explore Matiu further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Matiu — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Matiu is Māori — the te reo form of Matthew, "gift of God" — naturalized through generations of use in Aotearoa (Matiu Island sits in Wellington Harbour, holding the name in geography).
Rare beyond New Zealand, Matiu offers Matthew's meaning re-voweled for the Pacific.
Three syllables (MAH-tee-oo). It pairs well with steady middles (Matiu James, Matiu Thomas). On our vibe map it is Cultural Fusion — the gift, in te reo.
More Māori names
Matiu sits in our Māori set — these share its roots.
All Māori names →Matiu — common questions
Is Matiu a boy or girl name?
Matiu is traditionally a boy name of Māori origin.
What does the name Matiu mean?
Matiu means “Māori form of Matthew — gift of God” of Māori origin. Matiu is Māori — the te reo form of Matthew, "gift of God" — naturalized through generations of use in Aotearoa (Matiu Island sits in Wellington Harbour, holding the name in geography).
Where does the name Matiu come from?
Matiu is Māori in origin. Rare beyond New Zealand, Matiu offers Matthew's meaning re-voweled for the Pacific.
How popular is Matiu?
Matiu did not make the top 1,000 boys' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Matiu you might want for the nursery.