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Moses Boy

Popularity: #448 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationMOH-zis / /ˈmoʊ.zɪs/

Hebrew; Egyptian

Meaning

Hebrew: drawn out of the water; Egyptian: son

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Moses is derived from the Hebrew name Moshe, which is believed to be related to the Egyptian word "mose," meaning "born of" or "son of." The etymology traces back to the biblical figure Moses, a central character in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Exodus, where he is depicted as the leader who liberated the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The name entered the English language through the Latin form "Moyses," which was adapted from the Greek "Mōusēs," itself derived from the Hebrew. This transition occurred during the early centuries of the Common Era as biblical texts were translated and disseminated across different cultures and languages.

Historically, Moses is a significant figure not only in Judaism but also in Christianity and Islam, making the name widely recognized across various cultures. The narrative of Moses includes key events such as the Ten Plagues, the Exodus, and the receiving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, which are foundational to Jewish law and ethics. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures produced in the 3rd century BCE, and the Latin Vulgate, completed in the late 4th century CE, helped to further popularize the name in the Western world.

Culturally, Moses symbolizes leadership, faith, and deliverance, resonating deeply within religious traditions. His story has inspired countless works of art, literature, and religious thought throughout the centuries. The name has also been associated with various saints and historical figures, reinforcing its significance. In addition, diminutive forms such as Mosheh in Hebrew reflect the name's enduring legacy in Jewish culture. Overall, the name Moses carries a rich historical and cultural weight, rooted in ancient texts and traditions that continue to influence societies today.

Trend Summary

Moses has experienced fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable resurgence in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Moishe
  • Moisés

International Variants

  • Moisés (Spanish)
  • Moishe (Yiddish)
  • Moishe (Hebrew)
  • Mose (Italian)

Famous people named Moses

Moses is a biblical figure best known for leading the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, receiving the Ten Commandments, and parting the Red Sea.

Fictional characters named Moses

Moses is a fictional character from the religious text the Bible. He is a prophet who leads the Israelites out of Egypt and receives the Ten Commandments from God.

Moses is a fictional character from the animated film The Prince of Egypt. He is a Hebrew slave who becomes the leader of his people and confronts Pharaoh to secure their freedom.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Moses was first seen in the United States in 1880. Moses has ranked as high as #802 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia. In the past 5 years the name Moses has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Moses (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 82
15%
TX 75
14%
NY 46
8%
WA 28
5%
AZ 25
5%
OH 24
4%
FL 24
4%
TN 19
3%
MO 18
3%
IL 18
3%
PA 18
3%
GA 17
3%
IN 16
3%
NC 14
3%
MI 14
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880111
188193
188293
188382
188477
188574
188684
188787
188880
188978
189064
189170
189286
189381
189483
189570
189681
189770
189869
189977
1900117
190152
190273
190386
190487
190578
190673
190791
190882
1909108
1910132
1911128
1912207
1913208
1914258
1915287
1916333
1917339
1918352
1919347
1920383
1921378
1922387
1923381
1924358
1925343
1926341
1927321
1928318
1929316
1930288
1931298
1932284
1933280
1934286
1935257
1936230
1937278
1938265
1939250
1940275
1941276
1942275
1943301
1944271
1945235
1946249
1947283
1948316
1949292
1950291
1951315
1952280
1953273
1954270
1955267
1956246
1957266
1958292
1959275
1960301
1961251
1962240
1963215
1964175
1965230
1966165
1967172
1968169
1969188
1970184
1971199
1972198
1973247
1974295
1975340
1976319
1977316
1978314
1979365
1980350
1981360
1982349
1983332
1984338
1985315
1986290
1987312
1988296
1989335
1990293
1991340
1992327
1993359
1994347
1995306
1996372
1997402
1998426
1999463
2000520
2001545
2002516
2003504
2004493
2005480
2006618
2007606
2008562
2009543
2010515
2011504
2012484
2013606
2014586
2015643
2016669
2017630
2018586
2019560
2020594
2021572
2022577
2023536
2024603