Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Moussa

Moussa

♂ Boy

Pronounced MOO-sah /ˈmu.sɑ/High

Meaning: Arabic and West African form of Musa (Moses) — Hebrew Mosheh, 'drawn out of the water' — a great prophetMedium

In 30 seconds: Moses, the way West Africa says it: Moussa is the French-spelled Musa — 'drawn from the water' — for the prophet who parted the sea. Borne by emperors and footballers, strong and revered.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighArabic, Hebrew
MeaningArabic and West African form of Musa (Moses) — Hebrew Mosheh, 'drawn out of the water' — a great prophet
U.S. rank (2025)#3112 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births39 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2013
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,096

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819882025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Moussa is the French-spelled Arabic and West African form of Musa — the prophet Moses, from Hebrew Mosheh, traditionally 'drawn out of the water'. Musa is a revered prophet in Islam, and the name is borne across the Arab and Sahel worlds (footballer Moussa Dembélé, among many).

In the U.S. it appears in West African and Muslim families. Rare, water-drawn at the root, and prophetically grand.

Did you know? Mansa Musa of Mali — one form of this name — was likely the richest person in history, whose gold-laden pilgrimage to Mecca dazzled the medieval world; Moussa carries that imperial echo.
Overall data confidence 85%
Behind the Name — Musa — root etymology

Variations

MusaMousaMoosa

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Moussa Sissoko (1989-)
    French professional footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur and the French national team
  • ★Moussa Dembele (1996-)
    French professional footballer and striker who played for Celtic and Atletico Madrid
  • ★Moussa Diaby (2000-)
    French professional winger who plays for Aston Villa and the French national team

If you like Moussa…

Musa— the standard Arabic spelling
Isa— the Arabic form of Jesus, a fellow prophet
Yusuf— the companion prophet-name (Joseph)
Ibrahim— another revered prophet name (Abraham)

Explore names like Moussa

By themearabicislamicwest-africanprophet
By meaningSea / Water

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Moussa mean?

Moussa is a form of Musa (Moses), Hebrew for 'drawn out of the water', a great prophet.

How do you pronounce Moussa?

It's said MOO-sah /ˈmu.sɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Moussa a boy or girl name?

Moussa is a boy's name.

How popular is Moussa?

Moussa is a rare name in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia