Noah Boy
NOH-uh
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#2
Musa
BoyArabic, Hebrew· “Arabic form of Moses”
- Meaning
- Arabic form of Moses
- Origin
- Arabic, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MOO-sah
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #470
- US babies 2025
- 651
- Best rank
- #470 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Musa
Musa is an Arabic and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “Arabic form of Moses”.
Musa is the Arabic form of Moses, the prophet revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The Hebrew Moshe is traditionally explained as "drawn out," though scholars often connect it with an Egyptian word meaning "son." Musa is widely used across the Muslim world, from West Africa to South Asia. One famous bearer was Mansa Musa, the fourteenth-century ruler of the Mali Empire, renowned for his wealth and his pilgrimage to Mecca. The name is short, strong, and easy to pronounce in many languages.
Popularity over time
Musa first appears in US Social Security records in 1970. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 12 different years, starting in 2014. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #470, and its highest count, 651 babies. Use has grown 186% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #3,372 in 1980, #2,007 in 2000, #1,319 in 2010, and #470 in 2025. Of the 6,109 US boys named Musa since records began, 44% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 2,106 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Samson, Ayaan, Soren, Cillian, and Cassian.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Musa ranked highest in Delaware, New York, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | #160 | 7 |
| New York | #204 | 97 |
| Michigan | #212 | 47 |
| Illinois | #260 | 44 |
| Connecticut | #292 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Musa is usually pronounced MOO-sah, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with M and ends in “-sa”.
Middle names for Musa
A few middle names that flow with Musa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Musa
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Lists that include Musa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Musa mean?
Musa is an Arabic and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “Arabic form of Moses”.
What is the origin of the name Musa?
Musa has Arabic and Hebrew roots. Musa is the Arabic form of Moses, the prophet revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam who led the Israelites out of Egypt.
Is Musa a popular name?
Yes. Musa ranked #470 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Musa a boy or girl name?
Musa is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Musa?
Musa is usually pronounced MOO-sah. 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