Mu first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Mu has been for the last 3 years (from 2021 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Mu

An ancient word of uncertain meaning, sometimes related to nothingness or void.

Popularity of Mu by gender

Based on the last 3 years of data, Mu is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 59% of people named Mu being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mu.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 5
2022 0 5
2021 7 0

The history of the first name Mu

The name Mu originates from the ancient Egyptian language and can be traced back to around 3100 BC. It is derived from the hieroglyphic symbol representing water, which was a highly revered element in Egyptian culture. The name Mu was often associated with the Nile River, considered the source of life and fertility in ancient Egypt.

One of the earliest known references to the name Mu can be found in the Pyramid Texts, a collection of ancient Egyptian funerary inscriptions dating back to the Old Kingdom period (c. 2686-2181 BC). These texts mention the name in connection with various deities and rituals related to the afterlife.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Mu was also the name of a primordial god associated with water and creation. According to some legends, Mu was believed to have existed before the creation of the world and played a crucial role in the emergence of life from the primordial waters.

The name Mu gained popularity among royalty and nobility in ancient Egypt. One notable figure bearing this name was Mu, a prince and military commander who lived during the 18th Dynasty (c. 1550-1292 BC). He was known for his bravery and leadership in several military campaigns.

Another historical figure with the name Mu was a high-ranking official and architect who lived during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II (c. 1279-1213 BC). He was responsible for overseeing the construction of several monumental structures, including temples and tombs in the ancient city of Thebes.

Outside of ancient Egypt, the name Mu has been recorded in various other cultures and civilizations throughout history. In ancient Greece, the name was sometimes used as a variant of the name Momus, which was associated with the personification of satire and mockery.

In Chinese culture, the character 穆 (Mu) has been used as a name or part of a name, often carrying connotations of dignity, solemnity, and reverence. One notable bearer of this name was Mu Guiying (c. 624-680 AD), a renowned female general during the Tang Dynasty.

In Japanese culture, the name Mu has been associated with concepts of nothingness, emptiness, and zen philosophy. The Zen master Mumon Ekai (c. 1183-1260 AD) is particularly well-known for compiling the influential collection of koans (paradoxical riddles) known as the Mumonkan.

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

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

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"Mu first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/mu-meaning-and-history/.

"Mu first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/mu-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 26 June, 2025

Mu first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/mu-meaning-and-history/.

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