Mo Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MOH //moʊ//
Origin: Hebrew; Irish; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'from the water'; Irish: 'noble'; English: diminutive of names like Maurice
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mo is often considered a diminutive or short form of various names, most notably Moses, which has its roots in the Hebrew language. The Hebrew name Moshe (מֹשֶׁה) is believed to derive from the Egyptian word 'mose', meaning 'born of' or 'son', and is famously associated with the biblical figure Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt during the Exodus, a pivotal event in Jewish history.
The name Moses was later adopted into Greek as Mōusēs and subsequently into Latin as Moses, before entering the English language through the Old French form Moïse in the medieval period. Moses is a significant figure in several religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, with his story being chronicled in the Torah and the Bible.
The King James Bible, published in 1611, further solidified the name's prominence in English-speaking cultures, as it presented the narrative of Moses in a widely accessible format. Throughout history, the name has been borne by various saints and historical figures, contributing to its enduring legacy.
In addition to its biblical roots, the name Mo can also be linked to other names such as Maurice or Morris, which derive from the Latin name Mauritius, meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'moorish'. The use of Mo as a standalone name or nickname has cultural resonance in various contexts, often symbolizing strength and leadership, as exemplified by the biblical Moses.
This connection to a revered historical and religious figure has helped maintain the name's significance across generations, allowing it to persist in various forms and adaptations.
Famous people named Mo
In this section, you will find notable people named Mo. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mo who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mo who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mo Farah is a long-distance runner best known for winning multiple Olympic gold medals and World Championships.
Mo Willems is an author and illustrator best known for the Elephant & Piggie series and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Mo Rocca is a television host and comedian best known for his work on CBS Sunday Morning and The Daily Show.
Fictional characters named Mo
The following list of fictional characters named Mo is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Mo is a fictional character from the book series Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. He is a bookbinder with the ability to bring characters from books to life when he reads aloud.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mo, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mo. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mo was first seen in the United States in 2013.
Mo has ranked as high as #13329 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Mo has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mo is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mo was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mo.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2016 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| 2013 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
Top States for Mo
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.