Find out how popular the first name Mordekai has been for the last 11 years (from 2013 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mordekai by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Mordekai is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 16 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Mordekai.

The history of the first name Mordekai

The given name Mordekai has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew name Mordechai, which itself is thought to be a combination of the words "mar" meaning "bitter" and "dekha" meaning "to crush." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who was a bitter warrior or conqueror.

Mordekai is most famously associated with the biblical figure Mordecai, a Jew who lived in Persia during the 5th century BCE. He played a central role in the events recounted in the Book of Esther, where he helped foil a plot to exterminate the Jewish people. Mordecai's defiance and courage in the face of adversity have made him a revered figure in Jewish tradition.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mordekai can be found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of ancient Hebrew manuscripts dating back to the 3rd century BCE. This suggests that the name was in use among Jewish communities during the Second Temple period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Mordekai:

1. Mordecai ben Hillel (c. 1240-1298), a prominent Jewish scholar and philosopher from Germany, known for his influential work on Jewish law and ethics.

2. Mordecai Kaplan (1881-1983), an American rabbi and philosopher who founded the Reconstructionist movement within Judaism.

3. Mordecai Ardon (1896-1992), an Israeli painter and sculptor who played a significant role in the development of modern art in Israel.

4. Mordecai Richler (1931-2001), a celebrated Canadian author and screenwriter, best known for his novels such as "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" and "Barney's Version."

5. Mordecai Shehori (1903-1994), an Israeli politician and one of the signatories of the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948.

While the name Mordekai has its roots in the ancient Hebrew tradition, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained recognition across various societies and eras, carried by individuals who have left their mark in fields ranging from religion and philosophy to literature and politics.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mordekai was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mordekai, please contact us.

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