Mordecai

Pronunciation: [ m-AWRD-uhk-eye ]

Boy Name #2,048 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

The brave biblical hero who saved his people

Jewish Hebrew Christian American

Vintage Literary Bold Spiritual Classic

Meaning & Origin

"servant of Marduk"

Origin: Babylonian

Language: Hebrew

"little man, warrior"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

The Story of Mordecai

Mordecai is a Hebrew rendering of the Babylonian name Mardukaya, meaning servant of Marduk (the chief Babylonian deity) or little man. In the Book of Esther, Mordecai is the Jewish hero who raises his orphaned cousin Esther and ultimately exposes the plot of the villain Haman, saving the Persian Jewish community. The story is celebrated annually at the Jewish festival of Purim. The name has been used continuously in Jewish communities for over 2,500 years.

Mordecai saw renewed interest in secular circles in the 2010s as parents sought bold Old Testament names with literary weight. The animated series Regular Show (2010-2017) featured a main character named Mordecai, introducing the name to a new generation.

In Judaism, Mordecai is one of the most celebrated biblical heroes. The Purim story, read each year from the Book of Esther (Megillah), keeps his memory central to Jewish religious life. He represents courage, wisdom, and loyalty to his people.

Fun Facts

Mordecai appears 58 times in the Book of Esther, making him one of the most-mentioned individuals in that book
The Purim festival, celebrated by Jews worldwide, commemorates the events of Mordecai and Esther's story

Mordecai in Other Languages

Greek Μαρδοχαίος

Arabic مردخاي

Hebrew מָרְדֳּכַי

Spanish Mardoqueo

Yiddish מרדכי

Famous People Named Mordecai

Mordecai Richler

Writer

1931

Acclaimed Canadian novelist known for The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz and Barney's Version

Mordecai Fictional

Other

Main character in Cartoon Network's Regular Show (2010-2017), a blue jay working as a groundskeeper

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #2,048
Total SSA Count: 74
Cultural Origins: Jewish Hebrew Christian American
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Mordechai #968 Mordche #4751

Common Nicknames

Mordy Mort Kai

Pairs Well With

Mordecai James Mordecai Aaron Mordecai Elijah Mordecai Solomon Mordecai David Mordecai Isaac

Sibling Names

Ezra Solomon Obadiah Miriam Esther Hadassah

Similar Names

Mordechai

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mordecai

What does the name Mordecai mean?

"servant of Marduk" (from Babylonian). "little man, warrior" (from Hebrew). Mordecai is a Hebrew rendering of the Babylonian name Mardukaya, meaning servant of Marduk (the chief Babylonian deity) or little man. In the Book of Esther, Mordecai is the Jewish hero who raises his orphaned cousin Esther and ultimately exposes the plot of the villain Haman, saving the Persian Jewish community. The story is celebrated annually at the Jewish festival of Purim. The name has been used continuously in Jewish communities for over 2,500 years.

What is the origin of the name Mordecai?

Mordecai has Babylonian, Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, and American origins. In Babylonian, it means "servant of Marduk". In Hebrew, it means "little man, warrior".

Is Mordecai a boy or girl name?

Mordecai is primarily used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Mordecai?

Mordecai is pronounced m-AWRD-uhk-eye.

How popular is the name Mordecai?

Mordecai is currently ranked #2048 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Mordecai?

Common nicknames for Mordecai include Mordy, Mort, and Kai.

What are good middle names for Mordecai?

Popular middle name pairings include Mordecai James, Mordecai Aaron, Mordecai Elijah, Mordecai Solomon, Mordecai David, and Mordecai Isaac.

What are good sibling names for Mordecai?

Names that pair well with Mordecai as siblings include Ezra, Solomon, Obadiah, Miriam, Esther, and Hadassah.

How many syllables does Mordecai have?

Mordecai has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Mordecai a common or rare name?

Mordecai is an uncommon name, ranked #2048 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Mordecai

Mordecai is a boy name with Jewish, Hebrew, Christian, and American origins . The name means "servant of Marduk" in Babylonian .

Mordecai is currently ranked #2,048 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Mordecai has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-AWRD-uhk-eye, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Mordecai include Mordy, Mort, and Kai. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Mordecai include Mordechai, Mordche . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.