Mordecai

Meaning of Mordecai

Mordecai (mor-duh-KYE) is a venerable Hebrew classic whose roots reach all the way back to the Book of Esther, where wise Uncle Mordecai saves an entire nation—a built-in hero’s tale for future story times. Scholars link the name to “warrior” or “servant of Marduk,” so it carries both biblical bravery and a whisper of ancient Mesopotamian mystery. In today’s Anglo-American pop culture it turns up in delightfully quirky places—a blue jay on Regular Show, a hawk in The Royal Tenenbaums—showing it can be both stalwart and playful. U.S. stats keep it hovering just inside the Top 1,000, meaning Junior Mordecai will likely be the only one in his class, yet Mom won’t have to spell it out at every roll call. Friendly nicknames like Cai or Mordi soften the edges for playground use, while the full form swoops back in with Old-Testament gravitas on college diplomas and book jackets. For parents seeking a name that blends history, heart, and a dash of off-beat cool, Mordecai stands tall—ever the wise protector, ever the unexpected delight.