Is the Name Moses an Egyptian Name?

Finding of Moses / Pieter de Grebber / 1632–34

Q: If Pharaoh's daughter named Moses, does that mean it is an Egyptian name?

A: The name Moses (מֹשֶׁה, Mosheh) has two possible origins: one from the Egyptian language and the other from the Hebrew language.

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1. The Egyptian Origin Theory

According to the Bible (Exodus 2:10), Moses was named by Pharaoh’s daughter:

"She named him Moses, saying, 'I drew him out of the water.'"
(Exodus 2:10, NIV)

The name Moses may have been derived from the Egyptian word ms or mes, which means “born” or “child.” This root appears in various names of Egyptian pharaohs and nobility.

Examples of such names include:

• Thutmose (Thutmosis) – meaning "Thoth (the god) is born."
• Ramses (Ramesses) – meaning "Ra (the sun god) is born."

In these names, the deity’s name (Thoth, Ra, etc.) is combined with ms, indicating divine birth or connection. However, in the case of Moses, there is no deity’s name attached, suggesting that either the full name was lost over time or intentionally omitted. If Moses' name was originally Egyptian, it may have meant something along the lines of “born” or “child” without specifying a divine patron.

Additionally, there is historical precedent for Egyptian royal figures being given short, simplified names. This supports the possibility that Moses was originally an Egyptian name that either lost its divine component or was assigned as a standalone title.

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2. The Hebrew Origin Theory

In Hebrew, the name Moses (Mosheh) closely resembles the verb mashah (מָשָׁה), which means "to draw out" or "to pull out." This linguistic connection aligns with the biblical explanation of his name in Exodus 2:10, where Pharaoh’s daughter states that she “drew him out of the water.”

This theory suggests that Moses' name was interpreted through a Hebrew linguistic lens, and its meaning was adapted to fit his story. It is possible that the biblical authors, writing from a Hebrew perspective, assigned a meaning to his name that aligned with the themes of his life—being saved from water and later leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

Some scholars suggest that the Egyptian princess might have used an Egyptian name that sounded similar to Hebrew words, which later took on a Hebrew interpretation. This would explain why the biblical account links his name to “drawing out” while still maintaining the Egyptian linguistic roots.

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Additional Perspectives and Historical Context

1. Moses' Name in the Context of Ancient Egypt

During the time Moses is believed to have lived (the New Kingdom period, around 16th-13th century BCE), Egyptian names often included elements related to gods or divine power. For example, Tutankhamun (meaning “Living Image of Amun”) and Amenhotep (meaning “Amun is satisfied”) both feature the names of deities. If Moses had been given a traditional Egyptian name, it is unusual that it would lack a divine reference.

One possible explanation is that Pharaoh’s daughter, despite her royal status, named him informally. Alternatively, if Moses' story was recorded much later by Hebrew scribes, his original name may have been simplified or altered to fit a Hebrew narrative.

2. Moses’ Identity and Cultural Duality

Moses was raised in the Egyptian royal court but later identified with the Hebrew people. His name reflects this dual identity, as it has both Egyptian and Hebrew connotations. This duality is significant in biblical history because it illustrates how Moses bridged the two cultures—he was educated as an Egyptian prince but ultimately became the leader of the Hebrew people.

Some historians argue that if Moses were fully Egyptian, he would have retained an unmistakably Egyptian name rather than one that could be so easily adapted into Hebrew etymology. However, the Bible’s tendency to modify names for theological reasons suggests that his name may have undergone a transformation in later Jewish traditions.

3. Possible Name Variations in Ancient Texts

While the Hebrew Bible refers to him as Mosheh, some historians and scholars have speculated that his original Egyptian name might have been something like Mose, Mosis, or Mesi, based on known Egyptian linguistic patterns. The Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate both transliterate his name as Mōysēs (Μωϋσῆς) and Moses, respectively, which may reflect a later adaptation rather than the original pronunciation.

Interestingly, some scholars have compared Moses to other figures in Egyptian mythology, such as Osarseph, a priest mentioned by the historian Manetho who supposedly led a rebellion against Egyptian rule. While there is no definitive evidence connecting these accounts, it suggests that Moses’ story may have been influenced by broader Egyptian historical narratives.

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Conclusion: An Egyptian Name with Hebrew Significance

Based on the linguistic and historical evidence, it is highly likely that Moses' name originally derived from Egyptian roots, particularly from ms or mes, meaning “born” or “child.” This would align with the Egyptian practice of using such names in royal and noble circles.

However, the Hebrew tradition reinterpreted the name to fit the biblical narrative, linking it to the Hebrew verb mashah (meaning “to draw out”). This adaptation served a theological purpose, reinforcing Moses' role as a deliverer who was both “drawn out” of the Nile and later led the Israelites out of Egypt.

Thus, Moses’ name represents a blending of Egyptian and Hebrew influences, mirroring his unique position as a figure who belonged to both worlds. Whether his name was originally fully Egyptian or was later modified by Hebrew scribes, its dual interpretation reflects the complex cultural and historical context in which his story was preserved.

While there is no absolute consensus on the name’s exact origins, the prevailing view among scholars is that it began as an Egyptian name and was later imbued with Hebrew significance, making it one of the many fascinating examples of cross-cultural exchange in the ancient world.