Holding steady, #3,848 for boys today.
Popularity of Moishe since 1950
Babies named Moishe per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 39 |
| 1960s | 44 |
| 1970s | 154 |
| 1980s | 154 |
| 1990s | 151 |
| 2000s | 224 |
| 2010s | 259 |
| 2020s | 176 |
Meaning & origin
Moishe is the classic Yiddish form of Moses, a name deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. First recorded in U.S. births in 1950, the name has never entered the mainstream but has maintained a consistent presence. Its peak year came in 2015, reflecting a modest revival of traditional Yiddish names. As of 2025, the name ranks 3,848th, with a frequency of about 1 in every 61,003 boys. Despite its rarity, Moishe carries a strong cultural and historical resonance, evoking the biblical patriarch and leader. The name's steady trajectory suggests it remains a meaningful choice within families that honor Ashkenazi heritage, even as it has not appeared among the top states in recent records.
Moishe is the Yiddish form of Moses, derived from the Hebrew name Moshe. The name Moses is traditionally explained as meaning 'drawn out' (of the Nile) in the biblical narrative. In Yiddish-speaking communities, Moishe has been a common given name for centuries, often used alongside its English counterpart. The name has seen consistent but low usage in the United States since the 1950s, with a slight peak in the 2010s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Moi, Moish, Shey
Sibling names for Moishe
Names that share Moishe's style, for a brother or sister.
