Holding steady, #4,139 for boys today.
Popularity of Mose since 1880
Babies named Mose per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mose's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 618 |
| 1890s | 555 |
| 1900s | 601 |
| 1910s | 1,153 |
| 1920s | 1,175 |
| 1930s | 824 |
| 1940s | 818 |
| 1950s | 646 |
| 1960s | 405 |
| 1970s | 262 |
| 1980s | 214 |
| 1990s | 203 |
| 2000s | 171 |
| 2010s | 181 |
| 2020s | 109 |
Meaning & origin
Mose is a concise, traditional name that has seen modest but consistent use since the late 19th century. Historically, its peak year was 1882, when it reached its highest rank. In 2025, it ranked 4,139th, with a frequency of 1 in 68,323 newborns, reflecting a stable trajectory over recent decades. The name was most popular in Pennsylvania among top states. As a variant of Moses, Mose carries biblical resonance without the full weight of its longer form, appealing to parents seeking a simple, vintage choice.
Mose is believed to be a shortened form of Moses, a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'to draw out' (from the Hebrew root mshh). In the Old Testament, Moses is the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The short form Mose has been used independently in English-speaking countries, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Mose is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Moses
Sibling names for Mose
Names that share Mose's style, for a brother or sister.
