"the praised one"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Mo
Pronunciation: [ m-OH ]
Does Mo flow with your last name?
One syllable, a world of belonging
English
Arabic
Scottish
Scandinavian
Friendly
Sporty
Nickname Style
Approachable
Multicultural
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Mo
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"drawn from the water"
Origin: Hebrew/Egyptian
Language: Hebrew
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Mo
See all →What the Mo report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Mo the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Mo
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Mo head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Mo
Mo is a wonderfully versatile given name that operates as a standalone name in multiple cultures simultaneously. As a short form of Mohammed (Arabic: محمد, 'the praised one'), it's one of the most common names globally. As a nickname for Moses (Hebrew: drawn from the water), it carries ancient scriptural weight. In Scotland, Mo is sometimes short for Morag. In English it functions as a friendly diminutive of Morris, Morton, or Montgomery. This multiplicity is Mo's superpower — it belongs everywhere at once.
Mo gained particular visibility through athletes: Mo Farah (British Somali runner, four Olympic golds), Mo Salah (Egyptian football star), and Mo Bamba (NBA player) have made Mo feel both global and athletic. It's the first name that effortlessly crosses cultural boundaries.
Mohammed is the most common given name in the world — estimates suggest over 150 million people bear it. Mo as a short form therefore carries extraordinary cross-cultural significance. At the same time, its brevity makes it feel intimate and warm in any naming tradition.
Historical Record
Mo first appeared in US Social Security records in 2013.
Over 20 babies have been named Mo in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mo is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #24,364 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mohammed is estimated to be the most common male name in the world when all variant spellings are counted together
- Mo Farah won four consecutive Olympic gold medals (2012 London, 2016 Rio) in the 5000m and 10000m, making Mo a name associated with supreme athletic achievement
Mo in Other Languages
Arabic
محمد (Mo)
Hebrew
משה (Mo/Moe)
Scottish Gaelic
Mòrag (Mo)
Popularity Over Time
#24,364
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mo
M
Mo Salah
Athlete
1992
Egyptian professional footballer for Liverpool FC
M
Mo Farah
Athlete
1983
British-Somali long-distance runner, four-time Olympic gold medalist
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Aian
Boy
"little fire"
#24,318
Chestin
Boy
"from the fortress town"
#24,276
Fitzwilliam
Boy
"son of William"
#24,472
Kylenn
Boy
"narrow channel, strait"
#24,251
Adelyn
Boy
"noble, nobility"
#24,457
Compare Mo with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #24,364
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- English Arabic Scottish Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mo
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Mo
Phonetic neighbors that share Mo's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Mo fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Mo is also used as a girl name, ranked #17973.
View Mo as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Mo →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Mo with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Mo
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Mo and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Mo sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Aian
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"little fire"
#24,318 in US
Chestin
Boy
Old English/Latin origin
"from the fortress town"
#24,276 in US
Fitzwilliam
Boy
Anglo-Norman origin
"son of William"
#24,472 in US
Kylenn
Boy
Scottish Gaelic caol origin
"narrow channel, strait"
#24,251 in US
Adelyn
Boy
Old German origin
"noble, nobility"
#24,457 in US
Godrick
Boy
Old English origin
"God ruler; one who rules with divine ..."
#24,336 in US
Jakk
Boy
Hebrew via English origin
"God is gracious"
#24,207 in US
Fordham
Boy
Old English origin
"village at the ford; river-crossing s..."
#24,548 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Mo's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mo
What does the name Mo mean?
"the praised one" (from Arabic). "drawn from the water" (from Hebrew/Egyptian). Mo is a wonderfully versatile given name that operates as a standalone name in multiple cultures simultaneously. As a short form of Mohammed (Arabic: محمد, 'the praised one'), it's one of the most common names globally. As a nickname for Moses (Hebrew: drawn from the water), it carries ancient scriptural weight. In Scotland, Mo is sometimes short for Morag. In English it functions as a friendly diminutive of Morris, Morton, or Montgomery. This multiplicity is Mo's superpower — it belongs everywhere at once.
What is the origin of the name Mo?
Mo has Arabic, Hebrew/Egyptian, English, Scottish, and Scandinavian origins. In Arabic, it means "the praised one". In Hebrew/Egyptian, it means "drawn from the water".
Is Mo a boy or girl name?
Mo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #24364. As a girl name, it is ranked #17973. Mo is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mo?
Mo is pronounced m-OH.
How popular is the name Mo?
Mo is currently ranked #24364 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Mo?
Popular middle name pairings include Mo James, Mo Henry, Mo William, Mo Lee, and Mo Ray.
What are good sibling names for Mo?
Names that pair well with Mo as siblings include Bo, Kai, Jo, and Sam.
How many syllables does Mo have?
Mo has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mo a common or rare name?
Mo is an uncommon name, ranked #24364 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Mo?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Mo
Mo is a boy name with English, Arabic, Scottish, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "the praised one" in Arabic .
Is Mo a boy or girl name? Mo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #24,364 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,973. Mo is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mo is currently ranked #24,364 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Mo has 1 syllable and is pronounced m-OH, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Mo include Moshe, Moses, Moises, Morgan, Mohamed . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Arabic Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More boy names like Mo
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis