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.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Moses has shown significant fluctuations in popularity over time in the United States.
In the late 19th century, the number of babies named Moses remained relatively low and stable, with fewer than 100 births each year between 1880 and 1895. However, this changed dramatically at the turn of the century when there was a significant increase in the number of newborns named Moses.
The peak popularity of the name Moses occurred around the early to mid-20th century, with over 300 births each year between 1914 and 1927. During this period, the name reached its highest point in 1922 with a total of 387 births.
After the 1920s, the popularity of the name Moses began to decline steadily. Between 1936 and 1964, there were fewer than 250 births each year on average. However, since the late 1960s, there has been a noticeable resurgence in the popularity of the name Moses.
Between 1973 and 2023, the number of babies named Moses has seen fluctuations but remained relatively stable, with an average of around 500 births each year. The most recent peak occurred in 2016 with a total of 668 births, followed by another peak in 2022 with 575 births.
Overall, the statistics demonstrate that while the name Moses has experienced periods of high and low popularity over time in the United States, it remains a enduring choice among parents for their newborns. As of 2023, the total number of babies named Moses in the United States since 1880 stands at 42,055 births.