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The so-called ‘staurogram’ is a device that likewise seems to have been deployed in early Christian manuscripts as an expression of Christian faith. Specifically, the earliest Christian uses of the device are as part of the way that the words σταυρος (‘cross’) and σταυροω (‘crucify’) are written in some early manuscripts containing NT texts. The ‘staurogram’ comprises our earliest visual references to the crucified Jesus.
Matthew: The Greek name rendered “Matthew” is likely a shortened form of the Hebrew name rendered “Mattithiah” (1 Chron. 15:18, 21; 25:3, 21), which means “Gift of Jah.” None of the four Gospel writers named themselves in their accounts, and titles were seemingly not part of the original text.
Nomina Sacra (singular: nomen sacrum from Latin sacred name): In early Christian scribal practices, there was the abbreviation of several frequently occurring divine names or titles within the Greek manuscripts.