Musa

♂ Boy

Pronounced MOO-sah /ˈmuː.sə/High

Meaning: Arabic form of Moses, from Hebrew 'Moshe,' possibly derived from Egyptian meaning 'son' or 'born of' (as in Ramesses, born of Ra), or from Hebrew 'masha' meaning 'to draw out,' referring to being drawn from the waterMedium

In 30 seconds: Musa is the Arabic form of Moses, one of the most revered prophets in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Simple, strong, and deeply meaningful, it is widely used across the Muslim world and in West Africa.

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Origin HighArabic, Hebrew

MeaningArabic form of Moses, from Hebrew 'Moshe,' possibly derived from Egyptian meaning 'son' or 'born of' (as in Ramesses, born of Ra), or from Hebrew 'masha' meaning 'to draw out,' referring to being drawn from the water

U.S. rank (2025)#470 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births651 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,105

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Musa is the Arabic rendering of Moshe (Moses), whose name's etymology is debated. It may derive from Egyptian ms (son, born of) — a common element in Egyptian royal names like Ramesses and Thutmose — or from the Hebrew root masha (to draw out), referencing Moses being drawn from the Nile. As a Quranic prophet, Musa holds enormous religious significance.

Musa is widely used throughout the Arab world, Turkey, Iran, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa (particularly in Muslim communities). In West Africa, Musa Keita I — better known as Mansa Musa — was the 14th-century ruler of the Mali Empire and possibly the wealthiest person in history. The name has growing use in Western countries.

Did you know? In the Quran, Musa (Moses) is the most frequently mentioned prophet, appearing in over 100 verses — more than any other prophet including Muhammad. This makes Musa one of the most theologically significant names in Islamic tradition.

Overall data confidence 83%

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

Variations

MosesMoussaMousa

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Mansa Musa (c. 1280–1337)
14th-century ruler of the Mali Empire, considered one of the wealthiest individuals in history
★Musa (Quranic prophet)
The prophet Moses as named in the Quran; mentioned more than any other prophet

If you like Musa…

Ibrahim— shares the Quranic prophet tradition and the Arabic form of a Hebrew patriarch name

Yusuf— another Quranic prophet name with the same cross-faith Abrahamic heritage

Adam— shares the position as one of the earliest named prophets in the Abrahamic faiths

Dawud— the Arabic form of David, sharing the same Quranic and biblical tradition

Frequently Asked

What does Musa mean?

Musa is the Arabic form of Moses, whose name possibly means 'drawn out of the water' (Hebrew) or 'son' (Egyptian). The exact etymology is debated.

How do you pronounce Musa?

Musa is pronounced MOO-sah /ˈmuː.sə/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Musa the same as Moses?

Yes. Musa is the Arabic form of Moses, shared across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. In the Quran, Musa is the most frequently mentioned prophet.

Where is Musa most popular?

Musa is widely used across the Arab world, Turkey, South Asia, and West Africa, and is growing in Western countries with significant Muslim populations.