Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Moses
BoyHebrew, Egyptian· “drawn out; possibly Egyptian son”
- Meaning
- drawn out; possibly Egyptian son
- Origin
- Hebrew, Egyptian
- Pronunciation
- MOH-zuhs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #515
- US babies 2025
- 583
- Best rank
- #119 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2016
Meaning and origin of Moses
Moses is a Hebrew and Egyptian name that is usually said to mean “drawn out; possibly Egyptian son”.
Moses is the great prophet and lawgiver of the Hebrew Bible, who leads the Israelites out of Egypt and receives the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The Book of Exodus links his Hebrew name, Moshe, to a verb meaning "to draw out", since he was drawn out of the Nile as a baby. Many scholars think the name is actually Egyptian, related to a word meaning "son" or "born", seen in names such as Thutmose. Moses is honored in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, where he is called Musa. The name feels strong and dignified, and Mo is a friendly nickname.
Popularity over time
Moses 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #119 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2016, when 669 were named Moses. In 2025, 583 babies were named Moses, and it ranked #515 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #286 in 1920, #397 in 1950, #445 in 1980, #458 in 2000, #502 in 2010, and #515 in 2025. Of the 43,291 US boys named Moses since records began, 13% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 5,390 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Johan, Pierce, Nikolai, Raylan, and Jamison.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Moses ranked highest in Alaska, Montana, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #185 | 5 |
| Montana | #268 | 5 |
| Connecticut | #316 | 10 |
| Washington | #334 | 23 |
| Oregon | #342 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Moses is usually pronounced MOH-zuhs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-es”.
Middle names for Moses
A few middle names that flow with Moses: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Moses
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Lists that include Moses
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Moses mean?
Moses is a Hebrew and Egyptian name that is usually said to mean “drawn out; possibly Egyptian son”.
What is the origin of the name Moses?
Moses has Hebrew and Egyptian roots. Moses is the great prophet and lawgiver of the Hebrew Bible, who leads the Israelites out of Egypt and receives the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
Is Moses a popular name?
Yes. Moses ranked #515 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Moses a boy or girl name?
Moses is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Moses?
Moses is usually pronounced MOH-zuhs. 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