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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mussa

Mussa

♂ Boy

Pronounced MOO-sah /ˈmuː.sɑː/Medium

Meaning: A Swahili and East African spelling of Musa, the Arabic form of Moses, a prophet honoured in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Hebrew name Mosheh is traditionally explained as 'drawn out of the water', with an Egyptian root meaning 'son' also proposed.Medium

In 30 seconds: A prophet's name in East African form: Mussa is Musa, the Arabic Moses (said 'MOO-sah').
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Origin MediumSwahili, Arabic
MeaningA Swahili and East African spelling of Musa, the Arabic form of Moses, a prophet honoured in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Hebrew name Mosheh is traditionally explained as 'drawn out of the water', with an Egyptian root meaning 'son' also proposed.
U.S. rank (2023)#7155 ↗ Rising
2023 U.S. births12 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2013
Total births (all-time)≈ 144

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319822023

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

Mussa is the Swahili and East African spelling of Musa, the Arabic form of Moses. Moses is a central prophet in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and his name has travelled with all three traditions. In Swahili-speaking communities Mussa is a long-established given name and surname, carried worldwide by East African families (said 'MOO-sah').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, deeply rooted, and warm.

Did you know? Musa is one of the most frequently named prophets in the Quran, and the same figure is Moses in the Hebrew Bible and the Gospels — Mussa is the Swahili spelling of that shared name (said 'MOO-sah').
Overall data confidence 65%
References — Mussa — Swahili form of Arabic Musa (Moses); Hebrew Mosheh

Variations

MusaMoussaMoses

Nicknames

MusSa

Famous Bearers

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If you like Mussa…

Musa— the standard Arabic spelling
Moses— the English form of the same prophet
Isa— a like prophet name
Yusuf— a same-tradition choice

Explore names like Mussa

By themearabicheritageswahiliprophetic
By meaningSea / WaterHonor

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mussa mean?

Mussa is the Swahili and East African form of Musa, the Arabic name of the prophet Moses, honoured in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

How do you pronounce Mussa?

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

Is Mussa a boy or girl name?

Mussa is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Mussa?

Mussa is extremely rare for boys in the U.S.

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