In oral tradition and the Timbuktu Chronicles, Musa is further known as Kanku Musa. In Mandé tradition, it was common for one's name to be prefixed by his mother's name, so the name Kanku Musa means "Musa, son of Kanku", although it is unclear whether the genealogy implied is literal. Al-Yafii gave Musa's name as Musa ibn Abi Bakr ibn Abi al-Aswad (), and ibn Hajar gave Musa's name as Musa ibn Abi Bakr Salim al-Takruri ().
In oral tradition and the Timbuktu Chronicles Musa is further known as Kanku Musa In Mandé tradition it was common for one's name to be prefixed by his mother's name so the name Kanku Musa means "Musa son of Kanku" although it is unclear whether the genealogy implied is literal Al-Yafii gave Musa's name as Musa ibn Abi Bakr ibn Abi al-Aswad () and ibn Hajar gave Musa's name as Musa ibn Abi Bakr Salim al-Takruri ()