Egypt is a land steeped in ancient history and mythology, with a rich cultural heritage passed down through the ages. One of the ways in which this cultural legacy endures is through the naming of children. Egyptian names are filled with meaning and significance, often drawing inspiration from the deities and legends of ancient Egypt. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at 30 storied Egyptian baby names that parents might want to consider for their newborns.
From powerful pharaohs to revered goddesses, Egyptian mythology is full of colorful characters that lend themselves to meaningful and unique baby names. We’ve compiled a list of 30 names that draw inspiration from this rich tapestry of mythology and history, each with its own special significance. Whether you’re looking for a name that symbolizes strength and power or one that represents beauty and grace, this list is sure to provide plenty of inspiration for parents-to-be. So join us as we explore the fascinating world of Egyptian baby names and discover the perfect name for your little one.
Egyptian Baby Names for Girls
Asenath
Asenath is a name of Egyptian origin that can also be found in the Hebrew naming tradition. The appellation means “devoted to the goddess Neith, belonging to her father.” The name is virtually unused in the US today.
Aya
Aya names an ancient Egyptian queen. The name is also found in Arabic and can mean “bird” and “amazing.” Aya has been on the rise in the US over the past decade, and it currently ranks at number 749 on the top 1000 most popular given names for girls.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra names an ancient Egyptian queen, but her name is derived from a Greek root that means “glory to the father.” Cleopatra has never been a popular choice in the US, but the diminutive form, Cleo, has. It is on the rise today, ranking 664.
Esraa
Esraa Abdel Fattah is an Egyptian human rights activist. She wears this gorgeous name well. The name is also found in the Arabic naming tradition. This appellation means “journey at night.”
Hanan
Hanan Tork is an Egyptian actress who brings this name visibility. As with many of the appellations on this list, Hanan is also found in Arabic and Hebrew. Hanan means “merciful.”
Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut was the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Thutmose II and the fifth Pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, ruling first as regent, then as queen regnant from c. 1479 BC until c. 1458 BC. The appellation means “foremost of noble women.”
Heba
The glamorous model, Heba El-Sisy, brings this handsome name pride. Heba’s root means “gift.”
Isis
Isis is the goddess of sky and nature in Egyptian mythology. Isis was worshipped throughout the ancient world, with temples in Greece and Rome devoted to her. The root of this appellation means “throne.”
Menna
Menna Fadali is an Egyptian actress, and Menna Elfyn is a Welsh poet. Curiously, this name is found in both naming traditions. This name can mean “favor,” “grace,” and “gift of God.”
Nailah
Nailah is a name also found in Arabic, meaning “successful.” In the Western world, the name is most prevalent in England, but it has yet to be discovered by many parents in the US.
Nefertiti
Nefertiti might not be the best choice for a baby girl in the US, but it is a splendid baby name. The name belongs to a historical queen of Egypt. Her appellation means “the beautiful one has arrived.”
Neith
Neith is the Egyptian goddess of femininity and the home. This name is rare in the US. It means “divine mother.”
Nubia
Nubia is a region in Africa believed to have existed since around 3800 BC. Its name comes from Egypt, where it means “gold.”
Shameka
Shameka had a moment in the US in the 1980s but has yet to return to favor. The appellation means “pure of heart.”
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Sethe
This appellation can be pronounced Seth or Seth-eh. This mythological name means “appointed.” Toni Morrison used the name for her novel Beloved.
Egyptian Baby Names for Boys
Aaru
Aaru is an Egyptian mythological place related to the reed fields. This gentle option for boys means “peaceful.” You can’t beat that!
Akhenathen
Akhenathen is a 14th-century BC Egyptian pharaoh best known for promoting the worship of the sun god Aten. He was the husband of Nefertiti and King Tut’s father. It means “devotee of the God Aten.”
Amon
Amon was the god of air, creativity, and fertility in mythology. The name means “the hidden one.”
Ashraf
Ashraf is also found in Arabic and relates to the name Sharif. The appellation means “noble.” Ashraf belongs to many notable Egyptians, including Ashraf Abdelwahab, an academic; Ashraf Fahmy, a film director
Babu
Babu is an underutilized name with ties to ancient mythology. It means “Osiris’ first born.”
Darius
Darius is an appellation found in various naming traditions, including Greek, Latin, and Persian. Darius I, commonly known as Darius the Great, was a Persian ruler who was the third King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire. This name means “name of the pharaoh,” “wealthy,” and “one who holds firm.”
Essam
We wish more American parents knew the name Essam. This name means “safeguard.” The name belongs to many famed Egyptians, including Essam El Hadary, a footballer and Essam E. Khalil, an engineer.
Horus
In antiquity, Horus was worshipped as a sun god, appearing as a human with the head of a hawk. The name refers to his dominion, meaning “sun god.”
Moses
Moses comes from an Egyptian root and means “delivered from water.” The name has been a popular choice in the US for decades, and it ranks just outside the top 500 most given appellations for boys.
Nabil
Nabil is also found in Arabic, and it means “noble.” The name is popular across the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Nen
It doesn’t get any simpler than Nen. That’s a good thing! Unfortunately, this appellation is exceedingly rare in the US. It means “ancient waters.”
Osiris
Osiris is gaining traction in the US, landing in the top 1000 yearly since 2020. The name belongs to a king deity who died and was reborn each year. Osiris means “with strong eyesight.”
Pharaoh
Pharaoh has been used as a title of nobility in Egypt since the reign of Hatsheput. It means “ruler.”
Ra
Ra names one of the best-known Egyptian sun gods. It means “sun.” If this name is too short for your liking, you can go with Ramses, meaning “son of Ra.”
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Seb
Not just a short form of Sebastian, Seb is a standalone Egyptian name belonging to an earth deity. The name is taken to mean “god of the earth.” The name is red-hot in England today, and we could see it catching on in the US as well.
Egyptian baby names offer a wealth of options for parents looking to give their child a unique and meaningful name. These appellations draw upon a rich cultural heritage that has endured for thousands of years and continue to inspire and resonate with people today. Whether you’re looking to pay tribute to the gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt or simply want a name that is steeped in history and tradition, the 30 storied Egyptian baby names we’ve shared in this post are sure to provide plenty of ideas and inspiration.