Find out how popular the first name Set has been for the last 26 years (from 1997 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Set by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Set is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Set.

The history of the first name Set

The given name Set has its origins in ancient Egyptian mythology. It is derived from the name of the Egyptian god of chaos, desert, and storms, who was known as Set or Seth. This deity was one of the most prominent gods in the ancient Egyptian pantheon, and the name Set was likely used as a personal name to honor this powerful god.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Set can be found in hieroglyphic inscriptions and ancient Egyptian texts dating back to the Old Kingdom period, around 2686-2181 BCE. The name appears in various spells and incantations, as well as in stories and myths related to the god Set.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Set was depicted as a creature with the head of an unknown animal and a forked tail. He was associated with chaos, violence, and the desert, and was often portrayed as the adversary of his brother Osiris, the god of the underworld.

One of the most famous historical figures bearing the name Set was a Pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty, who ruled Egypt from around 1294-1279 BCE. Known as Seti I or Sethi I, he was a powerful ruler who undertook numerous building projects, including the construction of the Hypostyle Hall at the Karnak Temple complex in Luxor.

Another notable individual with the name Set was Seti II, who was a Pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty and ruled Egypt from around 1200-1194 BCE. He is known for his military campaigns and for defending Egypt against invasions from the Sea Peoples.

In Greek mythology, the name Set was associated with the god Seth, who was considered the embodiment of violence, chaos, and destruction. This association likely contributed to the negative connotations surrounding the name in some cultures.

Throughout history, there have been other notable figures who bore the name Set or variations of it. One example is Sethos I, a Pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty who ruled Egypt from around 1290-1279 BCE and was known for his military campaigns and building projects.

Another individual with the name Set was Seth, a figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible. He was the third son of Adam and Eve and is considered an important figure in Abrahamic religions.

While the name Set has its roots in ancient Egyptian mythology and culture, it has been used across various civilizations and time periods, often carrying connotations of strength, power, and sometimes chaos or violence, depending on the cultural context.

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

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

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