Moshe

♂ Boy

Pronounced MOH-sheh /ˈmoʊ.ʃɛ/High

Meaning: Hebrew form of Moses; from Hebrew Moshe, possibly from Egyptian mes meaning son or born of, or from Hebrew mashah meaning to draw out; the great lawgiver and prophetHigh

In 30 seconds: Moshe is the authentic Hebrew form of Moses — the great lawgiver and prophet who led the Israelites from Egypt — a deeply sacred name with immense historical weight.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningHebrew form of Moses; from Hebrew Moshe, possibly from Egyptian mes meaning son or born of, or from Hebrew mashah meaning to draw out; the great lawgiver and prophet

U.S. rank (2025)#436 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births728 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 17,994

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Moshe is the Hebrew form of Moses, the great biblical prophet and lawgiver. The etymology is debated: the Egyptian word mes (son, born of) appears in many royal names, while the biblical text connects it to the Hebrew mashah (to draw out, as in drawing from the Nile).

Moshe has been used in Jewish communities worldwide for millennia. In the United States it appears primarily in Jewish and Israeli-American families, maintaining the authentic Hebrew form of this most sacred name.

Did you know? The exact etymology of Moses (Hebrew Moshe) is one of the great linguistic debates of biblical scholarship: it may be the Hebrew verb mashah (to draw out), an Egyptian word mes (son/born of), or a combination of both.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Moshe — etymology and biblical historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MosesMoseh

Nicknames

Mosh

Famous Bearers

★Moses (biblical) (traditionally c. 13th century BCE)
Hebrew prophet, lawgiver, and leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt; received the Ten Commandments.
★Moshe Dayan (1915–1981)
Israeli military commander and statesman, Defense Minister during the Six-Day War; recognizable for his eye patch.

If you like Moshe…

Moses— the anglicized form of the same name, sharing every quality

Noah— shares the Hebrew biblical depth and the same great patriarch narrative

Elijah— fellow Hebrew prophet name with the same deep scriptural authority

Aaron— the brother of Moses; shares the Hebrew tradition and the same ancient spiritual weight

Frequently Asked

What does the name Moshe mean?

Moshe is the Hebrew form of Moses, meaning drawn from the water or born of, from Hebrew and possibly Egyptian roots.

How do you pronounce Moshe?

It is said MOH-sheh /ˈmoʊ.ʃɛ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Moshe the same as Moses?

Yes, Moshe is the original Hebrew form of Moses; Moses is the English/Greek transliteration.

Is Moshe used outside Jewish communities?

Moshe is primarily used in Jewish and Israeli communities; Moses is the broader form used across many cultures.