Mordechai

Mordechai is a Hebrew biblical name traditionally connected with the Babylonian divine name Marduk. It is best known through Esther’s cousin and guardian in the Book of Esther, whose story is remembered at Purim. The older linguistic connection should be distinguished from the religious meaning the name carries for Jewish families through that biblical figure.

Mordecai is another established English transcription, while Motti offers a familiar short form. The ch in Mordechai can indicate a sound different from the English ch in “church,” making family pronunciation worth clarifying. Parents choosing between the transcriptions may prioritize the form used by relatives or in their community rather than assume that one represents a different biblical person.