Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Mose
BoyHebrew, Egyptian· “short form of Moses”
- Meaning
- short form of Moses (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Hebrew, Egyptian
- Pronunciation
- MOHZ
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #4,213
- US babies 2025
- 25
- Best rank
- #176 (1882)
- Peak year
- 1919
Meaning and origin of Mose
Mose is often said to mean “short form of Moses”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew and Egyptian roots.
Mose is a short form of Moses, the name of the Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The meaning of Moses is not settled: the Bible connects it to a Hebrew word for drawing out of water, while many scholars point to an Egyptian element meaning son or born of. Mose was used in the American South and among German and Italian immigrants, where Mosè is the Italian form. It is said MOHZ, one syllable. The name has an old, rural and plain-spoken style.
Popularity over time
Mose has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 75 different years. Its best national rank was #176 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 1919, when 168 were named Mose. In 2025, 25 babies were named Mose, and it ranked #4,213 nationally. That is 92% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #563 in 1920, #751 in 1950, #2,095 in 1980, #5,231 in 2000, #6,597 in 2010, and #4,213 in 2025. Of the 7,935 US boys named Mose since records began, 15% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 1,153 babies. Since 2010, 290 more have been named Mose.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Verne, Edd, Wilber, Albin, and Rupert.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mose ranked highest in Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #1374 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Mose is usually pronounced MOHZ, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with M and ends in “-se”.
Middle names for Mose
A few middle names that flow with Mose: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mose
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Lists that include Mose
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mose mean?
Mose is often said to mean “short form of Moses”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew and Egyptian roots.
What is the origin of the name Mose?
Mose has Hebrew and Egyptian roots. Mose is a short form of Moses, the name of the Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt.
Is Mose a popular name?
Not especially. Mose ranked #4,213 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Mose a boy or girl name?
Mose is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Mose?
Mose is usually pronounced MOHZ. 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