A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Moses since 1880
Babies named Moses per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Moses's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 859 |
| 1890s | 751 |
| 1900s | 847 |
| 1910s | 2,591 |
| 1920s | 3,526 |
| 1930s | 2,716 |
| 1940s | 2,773 |
| 1950s | 2,775 |
| 1960s | 2,106 |
| 1970s | 2,777 |
| 1980s | 3,277 |
| 1990s | 3,635 |
| 2000s | 5,390 |
| 2010s | 5,789 |
| 2020s | 3,479 |
Meaning & origin
Moses has been in consistent use since 1880, when it ranked 515th. Its popularity has seen a notable resurgence since 1989, with a steady upward trajectory. The name peaked in 1880, the earliest year of Social Security data, indicating its longstanding tradition. Moses is particularly favored in states like Alaska, Montana, and New Mexico. Today, it is given to about 1 in 2,930 newborn boys, reflecting its enduring appeal across diverse communities. Its biblical and cross-cultural significance continues to make it a strong, meaningful choice.
Moses is derived from the Hebrew name Mosheh, which is traditionally explained as meaning 'drawn out' of the water, referencing the biblical story of his rescue from the Nile. The name is of Egyptian origin, possibly related to the Egyptian word 'mes' meaning 'son' or 'child', as seen in names like Thutmose ('born of Thoth'). In the Hebrew Bible, Moses is the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments. The name has been widely used among Jews, Christians, and Muslims for centuries.
Where Moses 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.
“Moses” around the world
Where Moses lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Moe
Sibling names for Moses
Names that share Moses's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Moses
Names whose popularity has moved with Moses's over the last 50 years.
