Find out how popular the first name Pharaoh has been for the last 45 years (from 1979 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pharaoh by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Pharaoh is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Pharaoh being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 114 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Pharaoh.

The history of the first name Pharaoh

The name Pharaoh has its origins in ancient Egyptian culture, dating back to around the 3rd millennium BCE. It is derived from the ancient Egyptian word "pr-aa", which translates to "great house" and was used to refer to the palace or residence of the Egyptian ruler. Over time, this term became synonymous with the ruler themselves, and the word "Pharaoh" came to signify the king or monarch of ancient Egypt.

One of the earliest recorded references to the term "Pharaoh" can be found in the biblical book of Genesis, where it is used to refer to the ruler of Egypt during the time of Joseph and the Hebrew Exodus. Ancient Egyptian texts and inscriptions also frequently mention the title of Pharaoh, such as the inscriptions found in the tomb of Tutankhamun and the records of the reign of Ramesses II.

The name Pharaoh has been associated with some of the most famous and influential rulers in Egyptian history. One of the earliest and most renowned Pharaohs was Narmer, who is believed to have ruled around 3100 BCE and is credited with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt. Other notable Pharaohs include Khufu, who oversaw the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza around 2560 BCE; Hatshepsut, one of the few female Pharaohs, who ruled from 1479 BCE to 1458 BCE; and Tutankhamun, whose famous tomb was discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter.

Throughout the centuries, the name Pharaoh has also been associated with individuals outside of ancient Egypt. In the biblical tradition, the name is often used to refer to the Pharaoh who ruled during the time of Moses, though his specific identity is not explicitly mentioned. In more recent times, the name has been used by various individuals, such as Pharaoh Sanders, an American jazz saxophonist born in 1940, and Pharaoh Monch, an American rapper born in 1973.

While the name Pharaoh is no longer commonly used as a first name in modern times, its historical significance and association with the powerful rulers of ancient Egypt have cemented its place in cultural and historical references. The name continues to evoke a sense of power, authority, and the grandeur of one of the oldest and most influential civilizations in human history.

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 Pharaoh was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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