Mosse is a Catalan and Occitan (southern French) variant of the Biblical name Moses. Danish: geographic name derived from mose, which means "swamp" or "bog." German: given name that may be derived from mosch, meaning "moat" or "ford"; or from moss, meaning "brow"; or surname derived from an occupation. Other names based on this root in Germany are Moser and Mosheim. Moses was the original name of the biblical figure who is believed by many Christians to have been a prophet and leader of the Israelites. It is derived from the Hebrew word for "exalted," "magnified," or "honored." The name was not popular in the United States until after 1820, when it was adopted by the first president of the University of Michigan, who was born Moses Alexander (1771-1850). He served two terms as president of the university and was known for his educational reforms. Before that time the office was not considered elective but rather one of appointment by the state legislature. In America, the name has often been used as a pseudonym. For example, Moses Austin (1754-1833), founder of what would become Austin College in Texas, used this name because he wanted people to know he was not some obscure religious figure.