Musa is the Arabic name of the Prophet known in English as Moses (peace be upon him), the Prophet named most often in the Qur’an. Its first meaning is debated: “drawn out” of the water, from Hebrew, or “son, child”, from Egyptian. In 2025, 798 boys in England and Wales were named Musa, putting it joint 64th.
What does Musa mean?
Musa is the Arabic form of the Hebrew Moshe. Three explanations are commonly given, and it is honest to say the meaning is uncertain:
- “Drawn out”: the Book of Exodus links the name to the Hebrew verb for drawing out, because he was drawn out of the river as a baby (Exodus 2:10).
- “Son” or “child”: many historians think the name is Egyptian, from mose, as in the pharaohs’ names Thutmose and Ramose.
- “Water and trees”: some early Muslim scholars explained it from Coptic words for water and trees, recalling the basket that came to rest among the trees by Pharaoh’s palace.
How do you pronounce Musa?
Say MOO-sa, with a long “oo” and the stress on the first syllable. In Turkish it is moo-SA.
How do you spell Musa? Spellings and variants
- Musa: the usual UK spelling.
- Moussa (French-speaking and West African families), Mousa, Moosa.
- Moses (English) and Moshe (Hebrew).
How popular is Musa in the UK?
Musa is one of the fastest-rising Prophets’ names in England and Wales. In 2025, 798 boys were named Musa, up from 731, lifting it nine places to share 64th with Yusuf.
| Spelling | Rank in 2025 | Babies in 2025 | Change since 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musa | 64 | 798 | up 9 places |
| Moses (English form) | 627 | – | up 51 places |
The Prophet Musa (peace be upon him)
Musa’s name appears in the Qur’an more than any other Prophet’s, well over a hundred times. Born when Pharaoh was killing the baby boys of the Children of Israel, he was placed in a basket on the river by his mother at Allah’s inspiration (28:7) and grew up in Pharaoh’s own palace (20:38–39). As a man he fled to Madyan, and on his way back, at a fire on the mountainside in the valley of Tuwa, Allah spoke to him and made him a Prophet (20:9–14). This is why he is called Kalimullah, “the one Allah spoke to” (4:164).
Musa and his brother Harun went to Pharaoh with signs: the staff that became a snake and the hand that shone white. When Pharaoh’s army trapped the Children of Israel at the sea, Musa said, “No! Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me” (26:62), and the sea parted (26:63).
His story is one of the five in the Hudhud book. Our Prophet Musa story for kids retells it gently, with the verses. Children also love his dua for courage: “My Lord, expand for me my chest, and ease for me my task” (20:25–26).
What middle names go with Musa?
What are nicknames for Musa?
Moose is a favourite with British families, alongside Mus and Moosi.
What are good sibling names for Musa?
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does Musa mean in Islam?
Musa is the Arabic name of the Prophet Moses. Its original meaning is debated: “drawn out” of the water, an Egyptian word for “son”, or, in some classical Muslim explanations, “water and trees”.
Is Musa in the Qur’an?
Yes. Musa is named in the Qur’an more often than any other Prophet, well over a hundred times. He is called Kalimullah because “Allah spoke to Musa with direct speech” (4:164).
Is Musa the same as Moses?
Yes. Musa is the Arabic and Qur’anic form of Moses (Hebrew Moshe). Moses itself is rare in England and Wales, where it ranked 627th in 2025 (ONS).
How popular is the name Musa in the UK?
In 2025, 798 boys were named Musa in England and Wales, up from 731 in 2024, making it joint 64th with Yusuf (ONS). That is about 1 in 377 boys born that year.
Is Musa a lucky name?
There is no such thing as a lucky name in Islam: the Prophet rejected omens and preferred a good word (Sahih al-Bukhari 5776). Musa is chosen for the Prophet who trusted Allah at the sea: “Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me” (26:62).
What are nicknames for Musa?
Moose is a favourite with British families, alongside Mus and Moosi.
What are good middle names for Musa?
Musa Ibrahim, Musa Harun (after his brother), Musa Ali, Musa Adam and Musa Idris all work well, as does Muhammad Musa.
Is the Prophet Musa in the Hudhud book?
Yes. Musa’s story, including the parted sea, is one of the five in Hudhud, with Nuh, Ibrahim, Isa and Muhammad (peace be upon them).