Find out how popular the last name Moussa is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Moussa.

Moussa, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Moussa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Moussa in America

Moussa is the 14067th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Moussa surname appeared 2,139 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Moussa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Moussa to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Moussa

The surname Moussa has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the personal name Musa, which translates to "Moses" in English. This name is closely associated with the Islamic faith and culture, as it refers to the revered prophet and leader Moses from the Abrahamic religions.

The earliest records of the surname Moussa can be traced back to the Middle Ages, particularly in regions with a significant Muslim presence, such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of the Mediterranean basin. During this time, the name was commonly used among Arab populations, reflecting their deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions.

In the 7th century, the spread of Islam across the Arabian Peninsula and into neighboring regions played a crucial role in the dissemination of the name Moussa. As Muslim conquests expanded into territories like Syria, Egypt, and Persia, the name gained popularity and became widely adopted by those who embraced the Islamic faith.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname Moussa can be found in the writings of renowned Arab scholars and historians from the medieval period. These works often mentioned individuals bearing this name, providing insights into their lives, professions, and contributions to various fields of knowledge.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the surname Moussa. One such prominent individual was Al-Moussa Al-Rawi (1154-1233), a renowned mathematician and astronomer from Persia. His seminal works on trigonometry and astronomical calculations significantly advanced the field of Islamic science during the Golden Age of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Another influential figure was Abdallah Moussa (1856-1923), a prominent Egyptian nationalist and political leader who played a pivotal role in the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. His efforts to promote Egyptian sovereignty and establish a constitutional monarchy left a lasting impact on the nation's political landscape.

In the realm of literature, the Algerian writer and philosopher Moussa Ait Belghit (1933-2020) gained recognition for his influential works exploring themes of identity, colonialism, and the human condition. His profound writings shed light on the complexities of post-colonial societies and earned him widespread acclaim.

The surname Moussa has also been associated with notable figures in the arts, such as the Egyptian sculptor and painter Moussa Ayoub (1924-2012), whose works captured the essence of traditional Egyptian life and culture through intricate representations of everyday scenes and landscapes.

Furthermore, the name Moussa has been linked to numerous place names and geographical locations throughout the Arab world, reflecting the widespread presence and influence of individuals bearing this surname across various regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Moussa

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Moussa.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Moussa was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Moussa has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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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