Back to Baby Names

Moshe

Pronunciation: [ m-ohsh-EH ]

Boy Name #492 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

The great prophet's name, exactly as spoken in Hebrew

Jewish Israeli Hebrew
Spiritual Traditional Strong Bold Classic

Meaning & Origin

"drawn out of the water"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"born of, son of (Egyptian)"
Origin: Egyptian
Language: Egyptian

The Story of Moshe

Moshe is the Hebrew form of Moses, one of the most consequential figures in the Abrahamic tradition. The name's etymology is debated: the Bible explains it as 'drawn out of the water,' reflecting his rescue from the Nile as an infant. Some scholars suggest the name may also have Egyptian origins, related to the Egyptian word 'msy' meaning 'born of' or 'son,' as in Thutmose or Ramesses. Both meanings reflect Moses' dual Egyptian-Israelite identity.

Moshe has been a consistent top name in Israel for generations and remains widely used in Jewish communities worldwide. Outside Jewish communities, it is rarely used, though the anglicized Moses has seen a slight revival among non-Jewish parents attracted to strong Old Testament names.

Moses/Moshe is one of the most towering figures in Jewish tradition — the prophet who received the Torah at Sinai, led the Exodus from Egypt, and spoke with God face-to-face. Moshe is the Hebrew form used in synagogue and Jewish life, while Moses is the Anglicized form. In Israel, Moshe consistently ranks among the most popular boys' names.

Fun Facts

  • Moses is one of only a handful of people the Torah describes as having spoken with God 'face to face'
  • Moshe Dayan, the Israeli general and defense minister, popularized his iconic eye patch after losing his eye during World War II

Moshe in Other Languages

Greek Μωϋσής (Moses)
Arabic موسى (Musa)
Hebrew מֹשֶׁה (Moshe)
Italian Mosè
Spanish Moisés

Famous People Named Moshe

M

Moshe Kasher

Entertainer

1979

American stand-up comedian, writer, and podcaster known for his memoir Kasher in the Rye

M

Moshe Dayan

Military

1915

Israeli general, statesman, and Defense Minister, iconic for his distinctive eye patch

M

Moses (Biblical)

Religious

The prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt, received the Torah at Sinai, and is the central figure of the Hebrew Bi...

The prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt, received the Torah at Sinai, and is the central figure of the Hebrew Bible

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#492
Total SSA Count
626
Cultural Origins
Jewish Israeli Hebrew
Pronunciation
Moderate
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Low

Common Nicknames

Mo Mosh

Pairs Well With

Moshe David Moshe Eliyahu Moshe Avraham Moshe Yosef Moshe Chaim Moshe Aaron Moshe Levi

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Moshe is also used as a girl name, ranked #58287.

View Moshe as a girl name →

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Moshe and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Moshe sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Moshe

What does the name Moshe mean?
"drawn out of the water" (from Hebrew). "born of, son of (Egyptian)" (from Egyptian). Moshe is the Hebrew form of Moses, one of the most consequential figures in the Abrahamic tradition. The name's etymology is debated: the Bible explains it as 'drawn out of the water,' reflecting his rescue from the Nile as an infant. Some scholars suggest the name may also have Egyptian origins, related to the Egyptian word 'msy' meaning 'born of' or 'son,' as in Thutmose or Ramesses. Both meanings reflect Moses' dual Egyptian-Israelite identity.
What is the origin of the name Moshe?
Moshe has Hebrew, Egyptian, Jewish, and Israeli origins. In Hebrew, it means "drawn out of the water". In Egyptian, it means "born of, son of (Egyptian)".
Is Moshe a boy or girl name?
Moshe is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #492. As a girl name, it is ranked #58287. Moshe is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Moshe?
Moshe is pronounced m-ohsh-EH.
How popular is the name Moshe?
Moshe is currently ranked #492 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Moshe?
Common nicknames for Moshe include Mo and Mosh.
What are good middle names for Moshe?
Popular middle name pairings include Moshe David, Moshe Eliyahu, Moshe Avraham, Moshe Yosef, Moshe Chaim, Moshe Aaron, and Moshe Levi.
What are good sibling names for Moshe?
Names that pair well with Moshe as siblings include Rivka, Devorah, Yosef, Aaron, Miriam, Shlomo, and Leah.
How many syllables does Moshe have?
Moshe has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Moshe a common or rare name?
Moshe is a popular name, ranked #492 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Moshe

Moshe is a boy name with Jewish, Israeli, and Hebrew origins . The name means "drawn out of the water" in Hebrew .

Is Moshe a boy or girl name? Moshe is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #492 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #58,287. Moshe is more commonly used as a boy name.

Moshe is currently ranked #492 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Moshe has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-ohsh-EH, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Moshe include Mo and Mosh. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Explore Name Lists