Moses is a name of Hebrew origin that has been widely recognized and used across many cultures throughout history. Derived from the ancient Egyptian name "Mose," which means "born of" or "son of," Moses holds significant historical and religious importance in various traditions.
In the Hebrew Bible, Moses is revered as one of the most prominent figures. He was born during a time when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. According to the biblical narrative, his mother placed him in a basket made of bulrushes among the reeds by the riverbank, where he was discovered by Pharaoh's daughter and raised as an Egyptian prince.
As an adult, Moses encountered God at Mount Horeb, who tasked him with leading the Israelites out of Egypt. With God's help, Moses performed various miracles and demanded freedom for his people from the pharaoh. After ten plagues afflicted Egypt, Pharaoh finally relented, allowing Moses and the Israelites to escape.
Following their liberation, Moses led them through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. During this journey, he received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai from God. Despite never entering Canaan himself due to disobedience at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, Moses died at the age of 120 with his sight still intact.
In addition to its biblical significance, the name Moses has been adopted by numerous cultures and religions around the world. In Islam, for example, Moses is considered one of the prophets sent by Allah. He features prominently in the Quran as a figure who performs many miracles, such as turning his staff into a serpent and causing water to flow from a rock.
The name Moses continues to be popular among various communities today, reflecting its rich history and cultural significance across different faiths and traditions. As a name given to both boys and girls, it remains timeless and powerful in meaning.
The name Moses experienced a significant surge in popularity during the early 20th century, peaking around World War I with over 300 births per year between 1912 and 1920. However, it began to decline thereafter, dropping below 300 births annually by 1927. The name continued to fluctuate in popularity throughout the mid-20th century but never reached its early-century heights again.
In recent decades, there has been a resurgence in the use of the name Moses. After reaching a low point of around 150 births per year in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it began to rise steadily, reaching over 500 births annually by the mid-2010s. As of 2023, Moses remains a popular name, with around 500 births per year.