Alastor Moody was born into the pure-blood Moody family. The precise date is unknown. His father and mother were both Aurors, as were many of his ancestors - the Moody family gained a reputation for producing many "renowned Aurors."

Moody bought or inherited his wand at some point before his formal magical education began. He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but his house is unrecorded in Ministry records. He was known to be an excellent student however, gaining at least an 'Exceeds Expectations' mark in five N.E.W.T. subjects.