Find out how popular the first name Moussa has been for the last 36 years (from 1988 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Moussa by gender

Based on the last 36 years of data, Moussa is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 44 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Moussa.

The history of the first name Moussa

The name Moussa is a masculine given name of Arabic origin, derived from the Semitic root "mšh" meaning "to walk" or "to depart." It is a variant spelling of the name Moses, which has its roots in the ancient Hebrew language. The name is closely associated with the Biblical prophet Moses, who is revered in both Judaism and Islam.

In Islamic tradition, Moussa is considered the Arabic equivalent of the Hebrew name Moshe, bestowed upon the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God. The Qur'an recounts the story of Moussa extensively, depicting him as a prominent messenger of Allah.

The earliest recorded use of the name Moussa can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the Islamic Golden Age. It became a popular name among Muslim communities, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, where Arabic culture and language flourished.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Moussa. One of the most famous was Moussa al-Kazim (699-799 CE), the seventh Imam in Shia Islam and a highly revered scholar known for his wisdom and piety. Another prominent figure was Moussa ibn Nusair (640-715 CE), a military leader and governor during the Umayyad Caliphate.

In the realm of literature, Moussa bin Shākir al-Rababah (1845-1917) was a renowned Jordanian poet and writer who played a significant role in preserving Arabic literary traditions. Moussa Ibrahim Nawfal (1860-1942) was a prominent Egyptian historian and author who made significant contributions to the study of Islamic history and culture.

During the 20th century, Moussa Lakhdar (1925-2015) was an Algerian revolutionary and politician who played a pivotal role in the Algerian War of Independence against French colonial rule. He later served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Moussa throughout history, reflecting its enduring significance across various cultures and regions influenced by Arabic and Islamic traditions.

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 Moussa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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