Rising since 1990, #2,091 for boys today.
Popularity of Mordecai since 1912
Babies named Mordecai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 31 |
| 1920s | 62 |
| 1930s | 54 |
| 1940s | 47 |
| 1950s | 69 |
| 1960s | 70 |
| 1970s | 44 |
| 1980s | 65 |
| 1990s | 52 |
| 2000s | 164 |
| 2010s | 514 |
| 2020s | 478 |
Meaning & origin
Mordecai is a rare but historically significant biblical name, given to about 1 in 24,401 newborn boys in 2025, when it ranked 2,091. Its peak in recent years came in 2022, and the name has been on a rising trajectory since 1990, gradually gaining attention. While it was first recorded in U.S. data in 1912, it remains uncommon, appearing most frequently in North Carolina, New York, and Texas. The name's connection to the Book of Esther gives it strong religious resonance, and its unusual sound appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet traditional choice.
Mordecai is a biblical name of Persian or Babylonian origin, borne in the Book of Esther by the cousin and adoptive father of Queen Esther. The name is thought to derive from the Babylonian god Marduk, with the Hebrew form reflecting a theophoric element meaning 'servant of Marduk' or 'my master is Marduk'. It has been used among Jewish communities for centuries and occasionally adopted by Puritans in the 17th century.
Where Mordecai is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mordy, Cai, Decai
Variants: Mordechai, Mordekhai, Mordecai ben Yair
Sibling names for Mordecai
Names that share Mordecai's style, for a brother or sister.
