A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Moe since 1888
Babies named Moe per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Moe's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 11 |
| 1890s | 0 | 37 |
| 1900s | 0 | 70 |
| 1910s | 0 | 327 |
| 1920s | 0 | 136 |
| 1930s | 0 | 7 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 23 |
| 1960s | 0 | 6 |
| 1970s | 0 | 12 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 22 | 5 |
| 2000s | 15 | 5 |
| 2010s | 25 | 47 |
| 2020s | 0 | 47 |
Meaning & origin
Moe is a concise, friendly short form with roots in the late 19th century. First recorded as a given name in 1888, it peaked in 1904, reflecting a trend for clipped names of that era. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 2009, as vintage nicknames gain favor. Currently, it ranks 7,679 and occurs in 1 in 170,808 births, indicating a rare but enduring presence. The name's versatility as a unisex option and its affectionate sound keep it appealing to parents seeking a simple, informal name.
Moe originated as a diminutive of names like Moses, Morris, or Maurice, common in English-speaking countries. It gained independent use in the late 19th century, often as a nickname. The name saw peak popularity in the early 1900s but has remained in occasional use since.
“Moe” around the world
Where Moe lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Mo
Sibling names for Moe
Names that share Moe's style, for a brother or sister.
