"drawn out of water"
Origin: Hebrew via Egyptian
Language: Hebrew
Moses
Pronunciation: [ m-OHZ-uhs ]
Does Moses flow with your last name?
The original liberator, reborn for today
Hebrew
American
African-American
Christian
Jewish
Spiritual
Strong
Classic
Bold
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Moses
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"son, born of"
Origin: Egyptian
Language: Ancient Egyptian
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly religious overtones may feel too heavy for secular families
- Associated with the comedian Moses Storm or may prompt 'part the Red Sea' jokes
The Story of Moses
Moses comes from the Hebrew Moshe, likely borrowed from the Egyptian root 'msy' meaning 'son' or 'born of' — as in Thutmose ('born of Thoth'). The biblical narrative explains it through the Hebrew 'mashah' (to draw out), referencing his rescue from the Nile. Moses is one of the most consequential figures in the Abrahamic faiths: lawgiver, liberator, prophet.
Moses is experiencing a hipster-spiritual revival in the 2010s and 2020s, as parents seek weighty, historically resonant Old Testament names. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin naming their son Moses in 2006 boosted its profile significantly.
Moses is revered across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — in Islam he is called Musa and is one of the most mentioned prophets in the Quran.
Historical Record
Moses first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 28,622 babies have been named Moses in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Moses is a steady classic , currently ranked #506 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Moses appears more times in the Quran than any other prophet, including Muhammad.
- Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their son Moses Bruce Anthony Martin in 2006.
- The name Thutmose (Egyptian pharaoh) shares the same Egyptian root '-mose' as Moses.
Moses in Other Languages
Arabic
موسى (Musa)
French
Moïse
Hebrew
משֶׁה (Moshe)
Spanish
Moisés
Popularity Over Time
#506
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Moses
M
Moses Martin
Other
2006
Son of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin
M
Moses Malone
Athlete
1955
NBA Hall of Famer and three-time MVP
M
Moses (biblical prophet)
Religious
Hebrew prophet, liberator from Egypt and receiver of the Ten Commandments
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Compare Moses with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #506
- Total SSA Count
- 603
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew American African-American Christian Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Mose
Mo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Moses
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Moses is also used as a girl name, ranked #37287.
View Moses as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Greek/English (surname) origin
"from the island of Rhodes"
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Middle English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moses
What does the name Moses mean?
"drawn out of water" (from Hebrew via Egyptian). "son, born of" (from Egyptian). Moses comes from the Hebrew Moshe, likely borrowed from the Egyptian root 'msy' meaning 'son' or 'born of' — as in Thutmose ('born of Thoth'). The biblical narrative explains it through the Hebrew 'mashah' (to draw out), referencing his rescue from the Nile. Moses is one of the most consequential figures in the Abrahamic faiths: lawgiver, liberator, prophet.
What is the origin of the name Moses?
Moses has Hebrew via Egyptian, Egyptian, Hebrew, American, African-American, Christian, and Jewish origins. In Hebrew via Egyptian, it means "drawn out of water". In Egyptian, it means "son, born of".
Is Moses a boy or girl name?
Moses is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #506. As a girl name, it is ranked #37287. Moses is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Moses?
Moses is pronounced m-OHZ-uhs.
How popular is the name Moses?
Moses is currently ranked #506 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Moses?
Common nicknames for Moses include Mose.
What are good middle names for Moses?
Popular middle name pairings include Moses James, Moses Elijah, Moses David, Moses Emmanuel, Moses Abraham, Moses Isaac, and Moses John.
What are good sibling names for Moses?
Names that pair well with Moses as siblings include Elijah, Abraham, Solomon, Miriam, Deborah, Naomi, and Ruth.
How many syllables does Moses have?
Moses has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Moses a common or rare name?
Moses is moderately common, ranked #506 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Moses
Moses is a boy name with Hebrew, American, African-American, Christian, and Jewish origins . The name means "drawn out of water" in Hebrew via Egyptian .
Is Moses a boy or girl name? Moses is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #506 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #37,287. Moses is more commonly used as a boy name.
Moses is currently ranked #506 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Moses has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-OHZ-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Moses include Mose and Mo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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