Mordecai
Meaning of Mordecai
The name Mordecai is a strong and distinctive male name with deep historical and cultural roots. Originating from Hebrew, Mordecai (pronounced mor-duh-KYE) is most famously associated with the biblical figure who played a crucial role in the story of Queen Esther, as recounted in the Book of Esther. This name carries connotations of bravery and wisdom, thanks to Mordecai's pivotal actions in saving the Jewish people from persecution. Variations of the name include Mordy and Mordechai, offering softer or more traditional alternatives. In recent years, Mordecai has seen modest usage in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating but maintaining a presence on baby name charts. For instance, it ranked 1,932nd in 2023 with 80 occurrences. Despite its relatively rare usage, Mordecai remains a compelling choice for parents seeking a name rich in history and meaning.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as mor-duh-KYE (/ˌmɔrdəkaɪ/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Mordecai
| Mordecai Menahem Kaplan was a prominent American rabbi and founder of the Reconstructionist branch of Judaism, known for his influential work in adapting Judaism to modern society. |
| Mordecai Richler was a Canadian writer known for works like The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz and Barney's Version, as well as the Jacob Two-Two fantasy series for children, and his essays on Canadian and Quebec nationalism. |
| Mordecai Brown - Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown was a legendary Major League Baseball pitcher known for his exceptional curveball, despite losing parts of two fingers in a farm-machinery accident. |
| Mordecai Manuel Noah was a prominent American figure in the early 19th century, known for his diverse roles as a sheriff, playwright, diplomat, journalist, and utopian, and for his efforts to establish a Jewish homeland in the United States. |
| Mordecai Shehori is a renowned Israeli-American pianist. |
| Mordecai Cubitt Cooke was an English botanist and mycologist, known for his work in various roles including as a schoolteacher, Kew mycologist, curator, journalist, and author. |
| Mordecai Sheftall was a prominent Georgia merchant and the highest ranking Jewish officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. |
| Mordecai Seter was a Russian-born Israeli composer. |
| Mordecai Wyatt Johnson was a prominent American educator and pastor, known for being the first African-American president of Howard University and a leading preacher in the early 20th century. |
| Mordecai Fowler Ham Jr. was an American Independent Baptist evangelist and temperance movement leader. |
| Mordecai Ezekiel - Mordecai Joseph Brill Ezekiel was an influential American agrarian economist who played a key role in shaping President Franklin D. Roosevelt's agricultural policy. |
| Mordecai Ardon was an Israeli painter known for his abstract and symbolic works. |
| Mordecai ben Avshalom was a Mountain Jew poet and abrek known for his poetry and songs advocating for brotherhood, equality, justice, love, peace, and social protest, written in Hebrew, Judeo-Tat, and Azerbaijani languages. |
| Mordecai Samuel Ghirondi was an Italian Jewish author and Chief Rabbi of Padua. |
| Mordecai Sultansky was a prominent Crimean Karaite hakham in the 19th century. |
