Find out how popular the first name Kairo has been for the last 29 years (from 1995 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kairo by gender

Based on the last 29 years of data, Kairo is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Kairo being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,484 male babies and 46 female babies born with the name Kairo.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 46 baby girls were named Kairo in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kairo

The name Kairo has its origins in ancient Egyptian culture, where it was derived from the Egyptian word "Kî-ir.rw," meaning "victorious." This name was commonly used during the time of the pharaohs and can be found inscribed on various hieroglyphic texts and monuments from that era.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Kairo was a high-ranking official who served under Pharaoh Ramesses II, around 1279–1213 BCE. This individual's name was Kairo-nefertem, and he held the prestigious position of "Overseer of the Granaries."

In the Islamic world, the name Kairo gained popularity as a variant spelling of the Arabic name "Qahir," which means "the victorious one" or "the conqueror." This name was often bestowed upon individuals who displayed strength and bravery in battle or other endeavors.

During the 12th century, a notable figure named Kairo al-Din al-Arabi lived in Andalusia (present-day Spain). He was a renowned Sufi mystic and philosopher, known for his influential writings on Islamic mysticism and the concept of the "Unity of Being."

In the 16th century, a famous Ottoman architect named Mimar Sinan, also known as Kairo Sinan, designed and constructed some of the most iconic mosques and structures in Istanbul, including the Süleymaniye Mosque and the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne.

Another notable individual with the name Kairo was Kairo Khan, a powerful ruler of the Nader dynasty in Persia (present-day Iran) during the 18th century. He played a significant role in the political and military affairs of the region during his reign.

In the 20th century, Kairo Mitchell became a respected figure in the jazz music scene of the United States. Born in 1917, he was a saxophonist and bandleader known for his contributions to the development of the West Coast jazz style.

While the name Kairo has its roots in ancient Egyptian and Arabic cultures, it has been adopted and used across various regions and time periods, often bestowed upon individuals who were considered victorious or achieved notable accomplishments in their respective fields.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kairo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kairo, please contact us.

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