Egyptian names are steeped in a culture of Egyptian mythology. From queens and kings, to gods, and goddesses. Each Egyptian first name tells a rich story of spirituality and culture.

Egyptian baby names today are a blend of ancient traditional names and modern names influenced by Arabic and Islamic culture. If you’ve ever thought of giving your child an Egyptian name, here are more than a few to pick from. 

You can balance the old and the new by picking both a traditional and modern Egyptian name for your baby.

Asenath

  • Origin: Egyptian, HebrewMeaning: Devoted to the goddess Neith, belonging to her father Alternative Spellings & Variations: Asenat, Aseneth, Asenneth, OsnatFamous Namesakes: NonePeak Popularity: Asenath isn’t a very popular name in the United States

Aya

  • Origin: Arabic, EgyptianMeaning: Bird, wonderful, amazing Alternative Spellings & Variations: AyahFamous Namesakes: Aya, an ancient Egyptian queen; Aya Cash, American actressPeak Popularity: Aya has started to grow in popularity in the United States. In 2018, 365 babies were given the name Aya.

Cleopatra

  • Origin: Greek, EgyptianMeaning: Glory of the fatherAlternative Spellings & Variations: Cleo, Kleopatra, Clea Famous Namesakes: Cleo King, actress; Cleo Higgins, British singerPeak Popularity: Cleo is the most popular variation of the name Cleopatra. In 1920, 1398 babies were named Cleo. The use of the name has dwindled since then. Only 245 babies were named Cleo in 2018.

Dalia

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Hanging branch, strong branch Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dalit, DalyaFamous Namesakes: Dalia El Behery, Egyptian actress; Dalia Mogahed, American Muslim scholarPeak Popularity: In 1994, 515 babies were given the name Dalia. This is the highest record of the use of the name in the United States.

Dina

  • Origin: Hebrew, Egyptian Meaning: God is my judge Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dinah, DeinaFamous Namesakes: Dina Merrill, actress; Dina Tala’at, belly dancer Peak Popularity: Dina is the 812th most popular name in the United States. It reached peak popularity in 1969, with 1571 baby girls being given the name.

Eman

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: FaithAlternative Spellings & Variations: Imen, Iman, ImaanFamous Namesakes: Iman, supermodel; Eman El Gammal, Egyptian Olympic fencerPeak Popularity: Eman isn’t a very popular name in the United States. Only 79 girls were given the name in 2001.

Esraa

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Journey at nightAlternative Spellings & Variations: Isra, IsraaFamous Namesakes: Esraa Abdel Fattah, an Egyptian activistPeak Popularity: Esraa isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Fukayna

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Intelligent, knowledgeableAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kayna, Fukaena, Fukaina, FukanaFamous Namesakes: NonePeak Popularity: Fukayna isn’t a popular girl’s name in the United States.

Hanan

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Mercy, compassionAlternative Spellings & Variations: Hannan, HanaFamous Namesakes: Hanan Tork, Egyptian actress; Hanan Ashrawi, politician Peak Popularity: The name Hanan started to rise in popularity in the 2000s. It reached peak popularity in 2016.

Hatshepsut

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: Foremost of noble womenAlternative Spellings & Variations: None Famous Namesakes: Queen HatshepsutPeak Popularity: Hatshepsut isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Heba

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: GiftAlternative Spellings & Variations: Hebah, HibaFamous Namesakes: Heba El-Sisy, Egyptian model; Heba El Torky, professional squash playerPeak Popularity: Only 1,198 people in the United States are named Heba.

Isis

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: ThroneAlternative Spellings & Variations: IsetFamous Namesakes: Isis Holt, Paralympic athlete; Isis King, American model; Ísis Valverde, Brazilian actressPeak Popularity: Isis hit peak popularity in the United States in 2005. There has been a sharp decline in its popularity since 2013.

Jamila

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Beautiful, elegantAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jameela, Jamillah, Gamila, DjamilaFamous Namesakes: Jameela Jamil, British actress and model; Jamila Akiko Aba Chilombo, American singer and songwriter Peak Popularity: Jamilia hit peak popularity in the United States in 1977.

Layla

  • Origin: Egyptian, Arabic
  • Meaning: Night
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lela, Lylah, Lilah, Leilah, Laila, Lila
  • Famous Namesakes: Layla El, British wrestler; Layla McCarter, American boxer
  • Peak Popularity: Layla returned to the top 1K American names in 1993 and has remained popular since. In 2019, it reached peak popularity and was the 23rd most popular name for girls in the United States.

Menna

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Favour, grace, gift of GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: MenaFamous Namesakes: Menna Fadali, Egyptian actress; Menna Elfyn, Welsh poetPeak Popularity: Menna is the 31,250th most popular name of all time in the United States.

Nailah

  • Origin: ArabicMeaning: SuccessfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Naylah, Nayla, NailaFamous Namesakes: Nailah Blackman, Trinidadian singer Peak Popularity: In 2018, 256 babies were named Nailah in the United States. This is the highest record use of the name.

Nubia

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: GoldAlternative Spellings & Variations: NoneFamous Namesakes: Nubia Marti, actressPeak Popularity: Nubia isn’t a very popular name in the United States

Sara

  • Origin: Hebrew, EgyptianMeaning: Princess, ladyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Sarah, Cera, Sera, SaarahFamous Namesakes: Sara Gilbert, American actress; Sara Bareilles, singer and song writer; Sara Paxton, model and actressPeak Popularity: Sara has remained a top 1K girl’s name in the United States for over a century. It reached its peak of popularity in 1981.

Shameka

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: Pure of heartAlternative Spellings & Variations: Shamika, Shameeka, ShameikaFamous Namesakes: NonePeak Popularity: Shameka was most popular in 1980 in the United States. 452 babies were named Shameka that year.

Zahra

  • Origin: Egyptian, Arabic
  • Meaning: Flower, bright, white
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Zara, Zhara, Zahar, Zahara
  • Famous Namesakes: Zahra Airall, women’s rights activist, Zahra Khanom Tadj es-Saltaneh, a Persian princess
  • Peak Popularity: Zahra was most popular in 2018, 518 babies were named Zahra that year.

Ahmed

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Greatly praisedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ahmet, Ahmad, Hameed, HamidFamous Namesakes: Ahmed Musa, soccer player; Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, former president of Iraq; Ahmed Ahmed, Egyptian-American actor and comedianPeak Popularity: Ahmed is one of the most common boys names in Egypt, and the 2,076th most popular boys names of all time. In 2013, 589 babies were named Ahmed in the United States, this was the peak of its popularity.

Akhenathen

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: Of great use to the god AtenAlternative Spellings & Variations: Akhenathon, Echnaton, IchnatonFamous Namesakes: NonePeak Popularity: Akhenathen isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Amon

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: The hidden oneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Amen, Amun, Ammon, YamanuFamous Namesakes: Amon Tobin, Brazilian electronic musician; Amon Carter, authorPeak Popularity: Amon was most popular in the United States in 2006. That year, a total of 68 babies were given the name.

Ashraf

  • Origin: Egyptian, Arabic Meaning: Noble, most honorable oneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Achraf, Eshref, AchrefFamous Namesakes: Ashraf Abdelwahab, Egyptian academic; Ashraf Fahmy, Egyptian film director Peak Popularity: In the United States the name Ashraf hit peak popularity in 1988, 35 babies were given the name that year.

Babu

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: Osiris’ first bornAlternative Spellings & Variations: NoneFamous Namesakes: DJ Babu, Filipino-American DJPeak Popularity: Babu isn’t a popular name in the United States

Darius

  • Origin: Egyptian, PersianMeaning: Rich, he who holds firm to good, name of a Pharaoh Alternative Spellings & Variations: Darijus, DarioFamous Namesakes: Darius Boyd, Australian rugby footballer; Darius Johnson-Odom, American basketball playerPeak Popularity: Darius hit peak popularity in the United States in 1994, 2,182 babies were given the name that year.

Essam

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: SafeguardAlternative Spellings & Variations: Issam, Esam, IsamFamous Namesakes: Essam El Hadary, Egyptian footballer; Essam E. Khalil, Egyptian engineerPeak Popularity: Essam isn’t a very popular name in the United States

Gamal

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: HandsomeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jamal, Jamaal, Jamael, JamilFamous Namesakes: Gamal Abdel Nasser, former president of Egypt; Jamal Adams, American footballerPeak Popularity: Gamal was most popular in the United States in 1976.

Hasani

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Handsome, good-lookingAlternative Spellings & Variations: Hassani, HasanFamous Namesakes: Hasan Minhaj, comedian; Hasan Kabze, Turkish footballerPeak Popularity: Hasani hit peak popularity in 1977

Horus

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: A god in the form of a falconAlternative Spellings & Variations: Horos, HeruFamous Namesakes: NonePeak Popularity: The name Horus isn’t popular in the United States

Hossam

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Sharp sword, sword of justice Alternative Spellings & Variations: Houssam, Husam, Hussam, HosamFamous Namesakes: Hossam el-Hamalawy, Egyptian journalist; Hossam Ghaly, Egyptian footballer Peak Popularity: Hossam isn’t very popular in the United States. In 2013, only 7 babies were named Hossam and that was the peak of its popularity.

Jabari

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Brave oneAlternative Spellings & Variations: JabbarFamous Namesakes: Jabari Bird, American basketball player; Jabari Simama, American educatorPeak Popularity: Jabari was most popular in the United States in 2006. 392 babies were given the name that year.

Khalid

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Eternal, to last foreverAlternative Spellings & Variations: Khaled, KhaleedFamous Namesakes: Kahlid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, fourth king of Saudi Arabia; Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Khalid Abdalla, British actorPeak Popularity: Khalid hit peak popularity in the United States in 2017. 253 boys were given the name that year.

Mahmoud

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: PraiseAlternative Spellings & Variations: Mahmud, Mahmood, MahmutFamous Namesakes: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, American basketball player; Mahmoud Abu Zeid, Egyptian photojournalistPeak Popularity: Mahmoud isn’t a popular name in the United States, only 91 babies were given the name in 2018.

Moustafa

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Chosen, preferredAlternative Spellings & Variations: Mustafa, Mustapha, MostafaFamous Namesakes: Mostafa Matar, Lebanese footballer; Moustafa Bayoumi, American writer; Moustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of EgyptPeak Popularity: Moustafa isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Nabil

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: NobleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nebil, NabeelFamous Namesakes: Nabil Ayers, American musician; Nabil Maâloul, Tunisian footballer and coachPeak Popularity: Nabil isn’t a very popular name in the United States. In 2015, only 63 babies were given the name. This was the peak of its popularity.

Nakia

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: Pure and faithfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nakeya, Nakea, Nakiya, NikiaFamous Namesakes: Nakia Codie, American football player; Nakia Reynoso, American musicianPeak Popularity: Nakia was most popular in the United States in 1974, 1,746 babies were given the name that year. But in recent years it has declined in popularity, in 2017 only 7 babies were named Nakia.

Pharaoh

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: RulerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Pharoah, PharoaheFamous Namesakes: Nef the Pharaoh, American rapperPeak Popularity: Naming your baby Pharaoh has started to gain popularity in the United States. In 2018, 167 babies were named Pharaoh. Prior to that only an average of 15 babies per year were given the name.

Ramses

  • Origin: EgyptianMeaning: Son of RaAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ramesses, Rameses, Rhamesses, RamessuFamous Namesakes: Ramses Shaffy, musician; Ramses Gado, Romanian footballerPeak Popularity: Popularity of the name Ramses peaked in 2007, but use has dwindled since then.

Sayed

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Master, lordAlternative Spellings & Variations: Said, Sayyid, Seyd, Syed, SeyyedFamous Namesakes: Sayed Awad, Egyptian composer; Syed Manzoorul Islam, Bangladeshi authorPeak Popularity: Sayed isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Tariq

  • Origin: Egyptian, Arabic Meaning: He who knocks at the door, morning starAlternative Spellings & Variations: Tarik, Tarek, Tarick, TarecFamous Namesakes: Tarek Ali Hassan, Egyptian writer; Tarek Fatah, Canadian political activistPeak Popularity: Tariq isn’t a popular name in the United States, but in 1998 there was a surge in its popularity and 514 babies were given the name.

Yahya

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: God is graciousAlternative Spellings & Variations: Yuhanna, Yahia, YihiaFamous Namesakes: Yahya Jammeh, President of Gambia; Yahya Khan, third President of Pakistan; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, American actorPeak Popularity: Yahya started to become popular in the United States in the late 2000s. In 2017, 230 boys were given the name.

Yasser

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: To be richAlternative Spellings & Variations: Yasir, Yaser, YassirFamous Namesakes: Yasser Seirawan, chess Grandmaster; Yasser al-Azma, Syrian writer and actorPeak Popularity: Yasser isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Youssef

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: God increasesAlternative Spellings & Variations: Yusuf, Yusef, Yousef, YusafFamous Namesakes: Youssef Bey Karam, Lebanese nationalist leader; Youssef Chahine, Egyptian film directorPeak Popularity: The peak of Youssef’s popularity in the United States was in 2017.

Zahur

  • Origin: Egyptian, ArabicMeaning: Blossom, flower, eminent Alternative Spellings & Variations: ZahirFamous Namesakes: Zahur Raja, actorPeak Popularity: Zahur isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Fun Fact: Asenath was the name of one of the two wives of Joseph in the bible.

Fun Fact: Aya is also a common Japanese name for girls. In Japan, it means colorful or beautiful.

Fun Fact: The name was popularized by Cleopatra VII an ancient ruler of Egypt, famed for her beauty, intelligence, and rumored affair with Julius Caesar.

Fun Fact: Dalia is pronounced in the same way as the flower Dahlia.

Fun Fact: Dina was the name of Jacob’s daughter in the bible. 

Fun Fact: Eman could also be a boy’s name, but has more popularity as a girl’s name.

Fun Fact: Hatshepsut was the name of a female pharaoh in Egypt. She was the 6th Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty.

Fun Fact: Isis is the goddess of sky and nature in Egyptian mythology. Isis is also an acronym for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), an extremist militant group. This might be something to consider when naming your baby.

Fun Fact: Jamila is the feminine form of the male name Jamil.

Fun Fact: The name Layla became popular in english speaking countries after the release of the song Layla by Derek and the Dominos in 1970. 

Fun Fact: Nubia is a region in Africa that is believed to have existed since around 3800 B.C.

Fun Fact: The name Sara is one of the rare names that is used by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Fun Fact: Zahra is the feminine version of the male name Azhar.

Fun Fact: There are many variations of the name Ahmed, but Ahmed is the most used variation in the United States.

Fun Fact: Akhenaten was the name of a 14th-century BC Egyptian pharaoh, who is best known for promoting the worship of the sun god Aten. He was husband to Nefertiti and King Tut’s father.

Fun Fact: In Egyptian mythology, Amon was the god of air, creativity and fertility.

Fun Fact: Ashraf is not a variation to the Ashraaf which is used to denote descendants of Muhammad.

Fun Fact: In India Babu is also a title used a sign of respect towards men. 

Fun Fact: There is a small town in Ghana that’s also called Essam.

Fun Fact: Egyptian kings usually bore five different names, the first of these names is called Horus.

Fun Fact: Hossam is also a common surname in Egypt and other regions.

Fun Fact: Jabari is also a common surname in Palestine.

Fun Fact: The female form of the name is Khalida.

Fun Fact: The feminine form of the name is Nabila.

Fun Fact: Nakia can also be used for girls, although it’s less popular.

Fun Fact: Historically Pharaoh started being used as the title of the king of Egypt, after the reign of Hatsheput.

Fun Fact: In the Hebrew bible Ramses is the name of one of the two cities built by the oppressed Israelites for the Pharaoh.

Fun Fact: The name became popular after Tariq ibn-Ziyad conquered Iberia (Spain and Portugal) in 711 AD.

Fun Fact: The name honors John the Baptist, an Islamic prophet.

  • Social Security Administration (SSA). Popular Baby Names.

By Toketemu Ohwovoriole

Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics.