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Mordecai Boy

Popularity: #850 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationMOR-deh-kai / /ˈmɔːrdəkaɪ/

Hebrew; Aramaic

Meaning

Hebrew: 'warrior'; Aramaic: 'dare'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Mordecai has its roots in ancient Hebrew, derived from the name Marduk, the chief deity of the Babylonian pantheon. The Hebrew form, מָרְדֳּכַי (Mordekhai), is believed to mean 'warrior' or 'servant of Marduk.' The name transitioned into Greek as Μαρδοχαῖος (Mardokhaios) and later into Latin as Mordecai, before being adopted into Old French and eventually into Middle English. This linguistic journey reflects the historical interactions between cultures in the ancient Near East and the subsequent influence of these cultures on European languages.

Mordecai is prominently featured in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Esther, which is dated to the 5th century BCE. In this narrative, Mordecai is a key figure who plays a crucial role in the salvation of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them, orchestrated by Haman, an advisor to the Persian king. The story of Esther, including Mordecai's actions, has been celebrated during the Jewish festival of Purim, which commemorates the events described in the text. This biblical connection has solidified the name's significance within Jewish tradition and culture.

Throughout history, the name Mordecai has been associated with themes of bravery, loyalty, and faithfulness. It has been borne by various notable figures, including Jewish scholars and leaders in different eras, contributing to its enduring legacy. The name also appears in various forms across cultures, with diminutive forms like Mordi being used in some communities. The cultural resonance of Mordecai is further enhanced by its representation in literature and art, where it symbolizes resilience against oppression and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs.

Trend Summary

Mordecai has seen a gradual increase in popularity in the United States in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Mordechai
  • Mordecai

International Variants

  • Mordejai (Spanish)
  • Mordechai (Yiddish)

Famous people named Mordecai

Mordecai Richler is an author best known for The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, St. Urbain's Horseman, and Barney's Version.

Mordecai Kaplan is a rabbi and educator best known for founding Reconstructionist Judaism and authoring Judaism as a Civilization.

Fictional characters named Mordecai

Mordecai is a fictional character from the animated television series Regular Show. He is a blue jay who works as a park ranger and often finds himself in bizarre situations with his best friend Rigby.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Mordecai was first seen in the United States in 1912. Mordecai has ranked as high as #1294 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in New York, Texas, California, Florida, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Mordecai has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Mordecai (2024)

StateBirthsShare
FL 8
57%
TX 6
43%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19126
19139
19148
19168
19205
19215
19229
19247
19259
19266
19275
19285
192911
19306
193111
19326
193310
19356
19365
193910
19425
19437
19447
19456
19465
19476
19485
19496
19507
19519
19536
195410
19555
19565
195711
19588
19598
196012
19616
19628
19638
196513
19666
19676
19685
19696
19715
19728
197310
197710
19785
19796
19806
198110
198212
19837
19849
19866
19878
19887
199210
19949
19956
19976
199810
199911
200010
20018
200212
200317
200423
200519
200620
200712
200819
200924
201021
201129
201238
201351
201452
201557
201668
201764
201863
201971
202084
202171
202299
202380
202474