Moore
A boy's name of Old English origin with 28 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 5 letters and one syllable, Moore hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1913, with 28 total recorded births.
Moore is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Moore is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Moore is a boy's baby name transferred from the English and Irish surname of multiple origins: from the Old English mor meaning "open land, moorland" (referring to the wild, open landscapes of Britain), or from the Old French more meaning "dark-skinned" (used historically to describe Moorish peoples). It was carried to American shores by countless immigrant families.
As a given name, Moore has the clean, authoritative quality that single-syllable English surnames carry so well. It suggests open landscape, solid ground, and the practical toughness of someone shaped by working the land. A name that wears well with both a work shirt and a suit.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Moore's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Moore softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Moore's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Moore has 5+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1913.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 | — |
| 1920s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 18 | — |
The Story of Moore
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1913, Moore is a name steeped in history. Boys named Moore are most likely born between 1913 and 1923.
How rare is Moore?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Moore is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1913, peaked in the 1910s with 18 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(5 years, 1913–1949)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 5 | #4057 |
| 1926 | 5 | #4616 |
| 1918 | 5 | #4597 |
| 1917 | 6 | #3838 |
| 1913 | 7 | #2423 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moore a boy's or girl's name?
When was Moore most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1913–1949