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Mordecai
Pronounced MAWR-duh-kye /ˈmɔɹ.də.kaɪ/Medium
Meaning: Servant of MardukMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Mordecai is a biblical name whose meaning, 'servant of Marduk', points to the Babylonian god Marduk, reflecting the exile setting in which the biblical figure lived. Across languages it took forms like the Greek Mardochaios, Latin Mardocheus, and Spanish Mardoqueo. The name carries a strong scriptural weight.
Its three-syllable rise and fall, mor-de-cai, gives the name an old-world resonance. Bearers include the Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Mordecai Brown and the Canadian novelist Mordecai Richler.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown (1876–1948)American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, ace of the Chicago Cubs in the early 1900s.
- ★Mordecai Richler (1931–2001)Canadian novelist and essayist known for The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.
Frequently Asked
What does the name Mordecai mean?
Mordecai is usually explained as meaning 'servant of Marduk ' and is most often linked with Biblical tradition.
How do you pronounce Mordecai?
It's commonly said MAWR-duh-kye /ˈmɔɹ.də.kaɪ/.
Is Mordecai a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Mordecai is used as a boy name.
How popular is Mordecai?
In 2024, Mordecai ranked #2046 in the U.S. for boys, with 74 births recorded.