Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Moses is a Hebrew name meaning 'to draw out', linked to the biblical figure who led the Israelites from slavery. It evolved from Moshe in Hebrew through Greek and Latin forms to the modern English version. The name carries traits of leadership and faith and has significant biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmoʊzɪz/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Moses is derived from the Hebrew name Moshe, which is often interpreted as 'to draw out' or 'to pull out', possibly referencing the biblical account of his rescue from the Nile River.
Meaning
to draw out
Language Evolution
Moshe (Hebrew), Moysis (Greek), Moyses (Latin), Moses (English)
Biblical Background
Moses is a key figure in the Hebrew Bible, recognized as the leader who brought the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God.
Historical Usage
The name has been widely used since antiquity, particularly among Jewish communities, and gained popularity in Christian contexts due to its biblical significance.
Variants & Derivatives
Moyses, Moishe, Moisés, Musa
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Moses is still recognized and respected today, often associated with leadership, faith, and resilience.
Famous People
Moses Maimonides - a medieval Jewish philosopher, Moses Malone - a professional basketball player, Moses H. Cone - an American textile industrialist
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 669 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 43 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (1 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 1 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 280th of 7545 | 6,213 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 342nd of 6773 | 4,983 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 455th of 7552 | 5,097 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 507th of 10718 | 4,051 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 521st of 16616 | 5,271 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 494th of 24088 | 8,181 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 496th of 23106 | 7,162 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 8361st of 9107 | 9 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 10657th of 12526 | 11 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 14973rd of 19264 | 14 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 25632nd of 27321 | 6 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
43.86% 621st/1416 |
30.17% 416th/1379 |
7.99% 189th/2366 |
34.50% 394th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
44.95% 695th/1546 |
31.49% 490th/1556 |
10.50% 247th/2353 |
27.80% 430th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
29.14% 649th/2227 |
17.70% 430th/2430 |
12.97% 370th/2853 |
19.89% 552nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
22.47% 660th/2937 |
11.80% 411th/3483 |
13.96% 491st/3518 |
11.67% 472nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
20.35% 750th/3685 |
9.21% 412th/4475 |
10.99% 571st/5194 |
7.11% 449th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
14.30% 655th/4582 |
8.04% 415th/5164 |
7.75% 567th/7313 |
5.52% 412th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
13.73% 547th/3984 |
9.52% 427th/4487 |
8.33% 568th/6822 |
6.79% 426th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in South Carolina across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 280th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 342nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 455th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 507th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 521st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 494th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 496th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 8361st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 10657th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 14973rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 25632nd out of 27321 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.