Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Mordecai
BoyHebrew· “probably from the Babylonian god Marduk”
- Meaning
- probably from the Babylonian god Marduk
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MAWR-duh-ky
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,100
- US babies 2025
- 70
- Best rank
- #1,716 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Mordecai
Mordecai is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “probably from the Babylonian god Marduk”.
Mordecai is the cousin and guardian of Esther in the biblical Book of Esther, who uncovers a plot against the Persian king and works with Esther to protect the Jewish people. The name is generally thought to derive from Marduk, the chief god of Babylon, reflecting Jewish life in the Babylonian and Persian exile. It has long been used in Jewish families, and the Canadian novelist Mordecai Richler is a well-known modern bearer. It is said MAWR-duh-ky, with three syllables. Nicknames include Mordy and Mort. Its story is retold each year at the Jewish festival of Purim.
Other spellings with the same sound: Mordechai.
Popularity over time
Mordecai first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,716 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 99 babies. In 2025, 70 babies were named Mordecai, and it ranked #2,100 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,755 in 1920, #3,232 in 1950, #5,998 in 1980, #6,680 in 2000, #4,634 in 2010, and #2,100 in 2025. Of the 1,650 US boys named Mordecai since records began, 31% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 478 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Hardin, Cosmo, Jahaziel, Uzziah, and Jakhari.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mordecai ranked highest in North Carolina, New York, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | #1408 | 5 |
| New York | #1957 | 5 |
| Texas | #2220 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Mordecai is usually pronounced MAWR-duh-ky, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with M and ends in “-ai”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Mordechai.
Middle names for Mordecai
A few middle names that flow with Mordecai: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mordecai
Similar names
Malakai Boy
MAL-uh-ky
“my messenger” · Hebrew
#213
Malachai Boy
MAL-uh-ky
“variant of Malachi, my messenger” · Hebrew
#2,467
Nikolai Boy
NIH-kuh-ly
“victory of the people” · Russian
#605
Giovani Boy
joh-VAH-nee
“variant of Giovanni, 'God is gracious'” · Italian
#1,312
Simeon Boy
SIM-ee-uhn
“he has heard” · Hebrew
#1,094
Lazarus Boy
LAZ-uh-ruhs
“God has helped” · Hebrew
#1,143
Phineas Boy
FIH-nee-uhs
“uncertain; possibly the Nubian” · Hebrew
#1,616
Elijah Boy
ih-LY-juh
“my God is Yahweh” · Hebrew
#7
Gabriel Boy
GAY-bree-uhl
“God is my strength” · Hebrew
#37
Isaiah Boy
eye-ZAY-uh
“Yahweh is salvation” · Hebrew
#57
Mateo Boy
mah-TAY-oh
“gift of God” · Spanish
#8
Josiah Boy
joh-SY-uh
“Yahweh supports” · Hebrew
#54
Lists that include Mordecai
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mordecai mean?
Mordecai is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “probably from the Babylonian god Marduk”.
What is the origin of the name Mordecai?
Mordecai has Hebrew roots. Mordecai is the cousin and guardian of Esther in the biblical Book of Esther, who uncovers a plot against the Persian king and works with Esther to protect the Jewish people.
Is Mordecai a popular name?
Not especially. Mordecai ranked #2,100 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Mordecai a boy or girl name?
Mordecai is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Mordecai?
Mordecai is usually pronounced MAWR-duh-ky. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings