Motty

Motty is a Yiddish-English diminutive of Mordecai (also spelled Mordechai), the Hebrew name 'Mordekhay' (מָרְדֳּכַי), which is believed to derive from the Babylonian name Marduk-aya, meaning 'servant of Marduk' — Marduk being the chief deity of ancient Babylon. In the Hebrew Bible, Mordecai is Esther's cousin and guardian, the hero of the Purim story who uncovered Haman's plot to destroy the Jewish people. In Ashkenazi Jewish communities, Motty is a warm, familiar form of Mordecai, similar to how Shmuly comes from Shmuel.

Motty (and Motti) remains primarily within traditional Ashkenazi Jewish communities — particularly in Orthodox, Hasidic, and yeshiva circles in New York, New Jersey, Israel, and the UK. It is the kind of name that signals strong communal identity. In Israel, Motti is used as a standalone name or nickname, including by several military commanders.

Mordecai's story in the Book of Esther is celebrated annually at Purim, one of the most joyful Jewish holidays. He represents courage, loyalty, and strategic wisdom — refusing to bow to Haman while ultimately saving his people. Naming a son Motty connects him to this heroic tradition. In Ashkenazi practice, naming after a deceased relative named Mordecai would commonly produce the nickname Motty.