🏺 Names of Dynastic Egypt

Posted On June 4, 2025

A Documentable Name Reference for SCA Use

Compiled from Years of Academic and Archaeological Research

Spanning the Old Kingdom through the Ptolemaic Period

Compiled by Dr. Anela Abdel-Rahman, PsyD (modern name)
Known in the SCA as Dame Talia bint al-Athir, OP

📖 Introduction & Disclaimers

If you’re looking for a historically grounded ancient Egyptian name to use in the SCA—or just love history and want to explore real names from the past—you’re in the right place. This list brings together verified names from Dynastic Egypt, spanning from the Old Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period. It’s designed to help reenactors, researchers, and name enthusiasts find inspiration and start strong with accurate, documentable options.

🛑 Please note: This is not an exhaustive list. It reflects a wide but still growing collection of names compiled over many years of research and formal study in ancient Egyptian history and language. It continues to evolve as additional sources and archaeological findings are reviewed.

⚠️ Important Disclaimers:

• This is not a primary source. This document is a research support tool, compiled from scholarly sources including excavation records, stelae, tomb inscriptions, and Egyptological prosopographies. It is not a substitute for reading original publications or official heraldic guidelines.

• Use this as a starting point. Each name listed here should be viewed as a launchpad for your own documentation, especially if you plan to submit it to the College of Heralds. We recommend consulting original texts, museum catalogues, or academic databases to build a solid submission.

• Spelling and transliteration may vary. Ancient Egyptian names were written in hieroglyphs, not in Latin characters. Different academic systems exist for transliteration. This document follows standard Egyptological conventions, but you may see variant spellings elsewhere.

• Meanings are approximate. The meanings of many ancient names are based on root words or known theophoric elements (e.g., Ra, Amun). However, not all meanings are confirmed, especially for rare or fragmentary names.

• Gender assignments reflect available evidence. Some names are clearly gendered by context or associated titles, while others are ambiguous. Where a name is truly unisex or of unknown gender, we’ve included it in the gender-neutral list.

• This is a living document. We welcome respectful feedback, additions, and corrections based on verifiable academic sources. This resource will continue to grow as we learn more.

🛠️ Having Trouble Viewing Some Characters?

If some characters in the transliteration column appear as boxes, question marks, or are missing entirely, it’s likely due to missing font support on your device. These names use Egyptological transliteration characters (e.g., ꜣ, ḫ, ḥ, ṯ), which require specific fonts to display correctly.

To fix this:

🔤 Install a Unicode font that supports Egyptological characters, such as:
• New Athena Unicode
• Gentium Plus
• Segoe UI Historic (Windows 10+)
• Arial Unicode MS (older systems)

💻 On a Mac? Try enabling “Unicode Hex Input” under Keyboard preferences and make sure you’re viewing the site in a modern browser like Safari or Chrome.

📱 On mobile? These characters may not render correctly depending on your device and browser. For the best experience, try viewing on a desktop or laptop with font support.

If you’re still having trouble, you can download the full list as a DOCX or PDF with embedded fonts.

⚠️ Additional Disclaimer

I am not a Herald. I am an academic in the field of Egyptology. This document is not intended as official submission advice. It is a research-based reference to support further documentation efforts.

📖 Organization of Sections

This name list is organized by period, gender, and category:

• Old Kingdom Egyptian Names – Alphabetical
  • Masculine Names
  • Feminine Names
• Middle Kingdom Egyptian Names – Alphabetical
  • Masculine Names
  • Feminine Names
• New Kingdom Egyptian Names – Alphabetical
  • Masculine Names
  • Feminine Names
• Ptolemaic Egyptian Names – Alphabetical
  (Dynastic Egypt with Greek-Egyptian syncretism)
  • Masculine Names
  • Feminine Names
• Expanded Gender-Neutral Names in Dynastic Egypt
  (Across all periods)
• Kings and Queens of Dynastic Egypt
  • 👑 Kings (Pharaohs)
  • 👸 Queens
• Non-Royal Elites of Dynastic Egypt
  • 📜 Scribes
  • ⚔️ Military Leaders
  • ⛪ Religious Officials
• How Ancient Egyptian Names Worked
• Naming Patterns Across Dynastic Egypt
• Using Titles in SCA Names
• Submitting Ancient Egyptian Names to the SCA
• 📌 Transliteration Standards & Citation Notes

Old Kingdom Egyptian Names (Dynastic Egypt) – Alphabetical

Masculine Names

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Period	Source / Attestation	Notes
Ankhmahor	ꜥnḫ-m-ḥr	Life belongs to Horus	6th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara	Also called the ‘Physician’s Tomb’ for medical scenes
Djau	ḏꜥw	Unknown	6th Dynasty	Tomb at Deir el-Gebrawi	Nomarch with well-preserved tomb inscriptions
Hemiunu	ḥm.j-wnw	Unknown	4th Dynasty	Tomb near Khufu’s pyramid at Giza	Vizier, likely architect of the Great Pyramid
Idu	jdw	Unknown	6th Dynasty	Tomb G7102 at Giza	Held title ‘Scribe of the Royal Documents’
Kaaper	kꜣ-pr	Unknown	4th–5th Dynasty	Wooden statue from Saqqara	Nicknamed ‘Sheikh el-Balad’ for lifelike realism
Kanefer	kꜣ-nfr	His Ka is beautiful	4th Dynasty	Mastaba at Dahshur	Son of Sneferu; held multiple high offices
Khnumhotep	ẖnm-ḥtp	Khnum is satisfied	5th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara	Royal manicurist; shared tomb with Niankhkhnum
Mehu	mḥw	Unknown	6th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara	Vizier under King Teti
Mereruka	mr-rꜥ-kꜣ	Beloved of the great one	6th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara	Held the largest non-royal tomb of the period
Meryre	mri-rꜥ	Beloved of Re	6th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara	Overseer of Priests during Pepi I’s reign
Nefermaat	nfr-mꜥꜣt	Perfect is the maat	4th Dynasty	Tomb at Meidum	Son of Sneferu; tomb has ‘Meidum Geese’ painting
Ptahhotep	ptḥ-ḥtp	Ptah is satisfied	5th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara	Attributed author of ‘The Maxims of Ptahhotep’
Rawer	rꜥ-wr	Unknown	5th Dynasty	Tomb at Giza	Held title ‘Royal Acquaintance’
Sabu	sbw	Unknown	6th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara	Known for mysterious ‘Sabu Bowl’ artifact
Weni	wnj	Unknown	6th Dynasty	Abydos (autobiography)	Military official with detailed self-written record

Feminine Names

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Period	Source / Attestation	Notes
Hemetre	ḥm.t-rʿ	Servant of Ra	4th Dynasty	Tomb G8464 at Giza	Possibly royal daughter or granddaughter of Khafre
Hetepheres I	ḥtp-ḥr.s	Satisfied is her face	4th Dynasty	Tomb G7000X at Giza	Mother of Khufu; tomb contained rich funerary goods
Inetkaes	jnt-kꜣ=s	Her father is the Ka	4th Dynasty	Daughter of Sneferu; tomb at Meidum	Royal family member
Iput I	jpt	Unknown	6th Dynasty	Pyramid at Saqqara	Wife of Teti, mother of Pepi I
Khentkaus I	ḫnt-kꜣ=s	Foremost of her Kas	4th–5th Dynasty	Tomb G8400 at Giza	Possibly ruled as king; mother of Sahure and Neferirkare
Meresankh III	mr=s-ꜥnḫ	She loves life	4th Dynasty	Tomb G7530-7540 at Giza	Granddaughter of Khufu; wife of Khafre
Nebet	nb.t	The Lady	6th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara	First recorded female vizier; mother of Queens Ankhesenpepi I and II
Nedjeftet	nḏ=f-ṯt	Unknown	6th Dynasty	Mentioned in pyramid texts	Possibly wife of Djedkare Isesi
Neferhetepes	nfr-ḥtp=s	Her grace is beautiful	4th Dynasty	Abu Rawash statue fragment	Daughter of Djedefre; priestess of Hathor
Neferseshemptah	nfr-šm-ptḥ	Beautiful is she who calms Ptah	6th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara	Wife of Mereruka
Nimaathap	nj-mꜥꜥt-ḥꜥp	She who belongs to the Maat of Hapi	3rd–4th Dynasty	Royal inscriptions	Mother of Djoser; possibly regent
Persenet	pr-sn.t	Unknown	4th Dynasty	Tomb G8156 at Giza	Wife of a high-ranking official
Sesheshet	šš-št	Unknown	6th Dynasty	Pyramid at Saqqara	Mother of Teti; Queen mother
Waatetkhethor	wꜥ.tt-ḫt-ḥr	Great one of Hathor	6th Dynasty	Depicted in Mereruka’s tomb	Daughter of Teti; wife of Mereruka

Middle Kingdom Egyptian Names (Dynastic Egypt) – Alphabetical

Masculine Names

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Period	Source / Attestation	Notes
Amenemhat	jmn-m-ḥꜥ.t	Amun is in front	12th Dynasty	Multiple kings and officials	Popular royal and non-royal name; Amenemhat I–IV
Antef (Inyotef)	jni-jt=f	His father brought him	11th–12th Dynasty	Several kings and nobles from Thebes	Used by rulers of early 11th Dynasty
Bebi	bbj	Unknown	11th–12th Dynasty	Tomb inscriptions at Asyut and Thebes	Common among provincial administrators
Dedusobek	ḏdw-sbk	Enduring is Sobek	13th Dynasty	Stele and sealings	Theophoric name with crocodile god Sobek
Hepi	ḥpj	Possibly ‘the Nile god Hapi’	12th Dynasty	Tomb of Hepi, El Bersha	Overseer of priests; provincial elite
Khnumhotep	ẖnm-ḥtp	Khnum is satisfied	12th Dynasty	Tombs at Beni Hasan	Lineage of nomarchs with elaborately decorated tombs
Mentuhotep	mnṯw-ḥtp	Montu is satisfied	11th–12th Dynasty	Several kings and high officials	Revived by Mentuhotep II; very prominent name
Neni	nni	Unknown	11th–12th Dynasty	Stele of Neni	Rare attestation; local official
Senusret	s-n-wsrt	Man of the goddess Wosret	12th Dynasty	Pharaohs Senusret I–III	Extremely common royal name; also used by nobles
Siese	sꜥ-ꜣst	Son of Isis	13th Dynasty	Stele and coffin texts	Theophoric name; gained popularity in late Middle Kingdom

Feminine Names

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Period	Source / Attestation	Notes
Itet	jtt	Possibly ‘She who comes’	11th–12th Dynasty	Tomb of Itet (Beni Hasan)	Wife of Khnumhotep II; name possibly derived from verb ‘to come’
Sitamun	sꜥt-jmn	Daughter of Amun	12th Dynasty	Statue and inscriptions from Thebes	Early use of Amun-based theophoric name for women
Senet	sn.t	Sister	11th–12th Dynasty	Tomb inscriptions at Asyut and Thebes	Common affectionate or familial name in MK texts
Henut	ḥnwt	Mistress	11th–12th Dynasty	Several stelae and tombs	Frequent name and title combination (e.g., Henutnefer)
Ipi	jpj	Unknown	12th Dynasty	Tomb of Ipi, Thebes	Attested noblewoman, often noted for funerary texts in her tomb
Neferu	nfrw	The Beautiful One	11th–12th Dynasty	Queen Neferu, wife of Mentuhotep II	Widely used royal and elite name
Mereryt	mr-r(j)t	Beloved One	12th Dynasty	Tomb inscriptions and papyri	Related to masculine ‘Mery’; appears in offering formulas
Sobekneferu	sbk-nfrw	Beautiful is Sobek	Late 12th Dynasty	Pharaoh Sobekneferu (daughter of Amenemhat III)	First confirmed female ruler of Egypt by royal titulary
Sit-Hathor	sꜥt-ḥwt-ḥr	Daughter of Hathor	12th Dynasty	Attested on stelae and temple reliefs	Theophoric; linked to goddess of fertility and music
Henu	ḥnw	Possibly ‘Singer’ or ‘Rejoicer’	11th Dynasty	Tomb scenes at Deir el-Bahri	Rare feminine name possibly tied to ritual singing

New Kingdom Egyptian Names (Dynastic Egypt) – Alphabetical

Masculine Names

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Period	Source / Attestation	Notes
Amenhotep	jmn-ḥtp	Amun is satisfied	18th Dynasty	Amenhotep I–IV, Theban tombs	Extremely common royal name; precursor to Akhenaten
Ramesses	rʿ-ms-sw	Ra has fashioned him	19th–20th Dynasty	Ramesses I–XI	Most iconic royal name of the New Kingdom
Horemheb	ḥr-m-ḥb	Horus is in festival	18th Dynasty	Tomb at Saqqara; last king before Ramesses I	General turned pharaoh; tomb shows military status
Thutmose	ḏḥwti-ms	Born of Thoth	18th Dynasty	Thutmose I–IV	Royal name used across four pharaohs
Panehsy	pꜥ-nḥsy	The Nubian	18th–19th Dynasty	Amarna letters; tomb of Panehsy	Non-royal name reflecting ethnic/geographic identity
Paser	pꜣ-sr	The Divine One	19th Dynasty	Tomb of Paser, Vizier under Seti I	Common administrative name; also appears in papyri
Maya	mꜣjꜥ	Beloved of Amun (possibly)	18th–19th Dynasty	Tomb of Maya, Overseer of the Treasury	High official under Tutankhamun and Horemheb
Huy	ḥwj	Unknown	18th–19th Dynasty	Tombs of Huy (Viceroy of Kush), Thebes	Name often given to envoys or Nubian administrators
Userhat	wsr-ḥꜥ.t	Powerful of the Front	18th Dynasty	TT56 and other Theban tombs	Common name for mid-level scribes and soldiers
Nakht	nḫ.t	Strong or Mighty	18th Dynasty	Tomb of Nakht (TT52), Theban necropolis	Astrologer and priest of Amun at Karnak

Feminine Names

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Period	Source / Attestation	Notes
Ahmose-Nefertari	ꜥꜣ-ms nfr.t-jrj	Born of the Moon, Beautiful Companion	18th Dynasty	Tomb and stelae; daughter of Seqenenre Tao	Deified after death; foundational figure of the 18th Dynasty
Tiye	tjj	Possibly ‘The One Who Belongs’	18th Dynasty	Tomb artifacts; wife of Amenhotep III	Powerful queen and mother of Akhenaten
Nefertiti	nfr.t-jtj	The Beautiful One Has Come	18th Dynasty	Amarna art and inscriptions	Wife of Akhenaten; co-regent or ruler in her own right
Mutemwiya	mwt-m-wjꜥ	Mut is in the Barque	18th Dynasty	Louvre stela, Karnak temple	Mother of Amenhotep III
Tawosret	tꜣ-wsr.t	Mighty Lady	19th Dynasty	Buried in KV14, Valley of the Kings	Ruled as king; last ruler of the 19th Dynasty
Sitre	s.t-rʿ	Daughter of Ra	19th Dynasty	Statues and inscriptions	Wife of Ramesses I
Baketwerel	bꜣk.t-wr-rꜥ	Servant of the Great One of Ra	20th Dynasty	Statue from Deir el-Bahri	Royal woman of uncertain lineage
Henuttawy	ḥnwt-tꜣ.wj	Mistress of the Two Lands	20th Dynasty	Burial in DB320	Daughter of Ramesses XI
Isisnofret	ꜣst-nfr.t	Beautiful Isis	19th Dynasty	Tomb references, stelae	Wife of Ramesses II; mother of Merneptah
Maathorneferure	mꜥꜥ.t-ḥr-nfr-wr	The Eye of Horus is Great and Beautiful	19th Dynasty	Marriage alliance texts	Hittite princess married to Ramesses II

Ptolemaic Egyptian Names (Dynastic Egypt, Greek-Egyptian Syncretism) – Alphabetical

Masculine Names

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Period	Source / Attestation	Notes
Ptolemaios	ptw-lmꜣ-jws (Greek)	War-like, aggressive	Ptolemaic Period	All kings from Ptolemy I to XV	Greek origin; commonly Hellenized but sometimes used with Egyptian titulary
Arsinoephoros	ꜥr-sn-wj=f-rꜥ	He who bears Arsinoë	Ptolemaic Period	Funerary papyri, temple dedications	Cultic title referencing the queen Arsinoë
Philopator	philo-patōr (Greek)	Lover of his father	Ptolemaic Period	Titles in Greek inscriptions	Used in many male royal epithets
Euergetes	eu-ergētēs (Greek)	Benefactor	Ptolemaic Period	Used as a royal epithet by Ptolemy III	Greek honorific added to royal names
Neos Dionysos	nꜥ-nṯr-dnj-sꜣ	The new Dionysus	Ptolemaic Period	Ptolemy XII inscriptions	Greek deity-based title with Egyptian rendering

Feminine Names

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Period	Source / Attestation	Notes
Cleopatra	kljꜣ-pꜣ-dj-rꜥ (Greek)	Glory of her father	Ptolemaic Period	Cleopatra I–VII	Most famous Ptolemaic name; used in dynastic succession
Arsinoë	br-nj-kꜣ	Of noble lineage (possibly)	Ptolemaic Period	Arsinoë I–IV	Queens, deified sisters and wives of Ptolemies
Berenike	lāw-dīkē	Bearer of victory	Ptolemaic Period	Queens and consorts	Used in dynastic cults and temple inscriptions
Laodice	lāw-dīkē (Greek)	Justice of the people	Ptolemaic Period	Greek inscriptions	Appears in diplomatic marriages
Tryphaena	trj-pꜥ-jnnꜥ (Greek)	Delicate or luxurious one	Ptolemaic Period	Sister-wife of Ptolemy VIII	kljꜣ-pꜣ-dj-rꜥ

Feminine Names of Egyptian Origin

(added 07/04/25)

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Notes / Attestation
Tayesnakht	tꜣ-js-nḫt	“The one who belongs to Esna is strong”	Name attested in Upper Egypt; combines locality and strength.
Taneferher	tꜣ-nfr-ḥr	“The beautiful one of Horus”	Found on late demotic and temple inscriptions.
Shepenwepet	šp-n-wp.t	“She who is the daughter of Opet”	Continuation from earlier dynasties; found in Theban priestly lines.
Taboubas	tꜣ-bꜣw-bꜣs	“The ba-soul of Bastet”	Temple-based theophoric name; attested in cat cult centers.
Taimhotep	tꜣ-jm-ḥtp	“The one who is in peace”	Famous bearer: Taimhotep, wife of high priest Pasherienptah I (1st century BCE); tomb stela at Saqqara.
Tentdinebu	tnt-dj-nbw	“She of the gold-giver”	Late period/Ptolemaic tombs; may relate to Hathoric gold symbolism.
Mutemwiya	mwt-m-wjꜥ	“Mut is in her barque”	Older name revived in later priestly families.
Tadukhipa	tꜣ-dw-ḫj-pꜥ	“She of the sweet breeze”	Name associated with elite lineages; possibly maintained in adapted form.

Gender-Neutral Names in Dynastic Egypt – Across All Periods

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Period	Source / Attestation	Notes
Ahmose	ꜥꜣ-ms	Born of the Moon	17th–18th Dynasty	Royal inscriptions	Used by kings and queens
Ankhesenamun	ꜥnḫ-s-n-jmn	She Lives for Amun	18th Dynasty	Royal inscriptions	Elements found in male and female names
Bek	bk	Servant	Middle–New Kingdom	Inscriptions and workshop lists	Artisan name used across genders
Bebi	bbj	Possibly ‘Protector’	Old–Middle Kingdom	Stelae and tomb inscriptions	Found in both male and female individuals
Hapi	ḥꜣpj	Nile God	All Periods	Inscriptions and deity texts	Deity depicted as gender-fluid; used in personal names
Hu	ḥw	Authoritative Utterance	Old–New Kingdom	Deity inscriptions	Associated with creative speech; used across gender
Ipy	jpt	Harem or Inner Sanctum	New Kingdom	Titles and goddesses	Name of a fertility deity and royal officials
Khai	ḫꜣj	Rejoicer	New Kingdom	Theban tombs, workers’ village	Used for workers of all genders
Khu	ḫw	Protection	Various	Protective titles	Used in names and roles across gender
Merit	mrjt	Beloved	Old–New Kingdom	Coffins and tomb inscriptions	Used as part of both male and female names
Mery	mry	Beloved	Old–New Kingdom	Titles and compound names	Appears in both genders, such as Meryneith and Meryra
Mose	ms	Born/Birth	New Kingdom	Scribe and soldier records	Used by male and female individuals
Nebet	nb.t	The Lady	Old–New Kingdom	Stelae and priestly titles	Used in compound names of both genders
Nebetah	nb.t-ḥꜥ	Lady of the House	18th Dynasty	Royal inscriptions	Appears in both male and female compound names
Nefertari	nfr.t-jrj	Most Beautiful	New Kingdom	Royal inscriptions	Elements used in names across genders
Nefertem	nfr-tm	Beautiful One Who Closes	New Kingdom	Deity inscriptions	Name of deity and used by multiple genders
Satra	sꜣ.t-rꜥ	Daughter of Ra	New Kingdom	Cultic inscriptions	Used in male priestly and female titles
Setepenre	stp-n-rꜥ	Chosen of Ra	New Kingdom	Royal titulary	In male and female throne names
Shai	šꜥj	Fate	New Kingdom	Deity inscriptions	Name of fate deity; used for individuals of all genders
Tutu	tw-tw	He/She Who is Complete	Late Period–Ptolemaic	Temple inscriptions	Deity name used by priests of all genders

👑 Kings and Queens of Dynastic Egypt

👑 Kings (Pharaohs)

Base Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Dynasty/Period	Gender	Notes (Incl. Regnal Number)
Narmer	Nꜥr-mr	Striking Catfish	Early Dynastic (1st)	Male	Unified Upper and Lower Egypt
Djoser	Ḏsr	The Sacred	3rd	Male	Builder of Step Pyramid
Sneferu	Snfr.w	He who makes beauty	4th	Male	Founder of the 4th Dynasty
Khufu	Ḫwfw	He protects me	4th	Male	Also known as Cheops
Djedefre	Ḏd-f-Rꜥ	Enduring like Ra	4th	Male	Son of Khufu
Khafre	Ḫꜣ.f-Rꜥ	He appears like Ra	4th	Male	Builder of second pyramid at Giza
Menkaure	Mn-kꜣw-Rꜥ	Eternal like the ka of Ra	4th	Male	Built the third pyramid at Giza
Userkaf	Wsir-kꜣ.f	His ka is powerful	5th	Male	Founder of 5th Dynasty
Sahure	Sꜥḥw-Rꜥ	He who is close to Ra	5th	Male	Naval expeditions to Punt
Teti	Ttj	The one who lasts	6th	Male	Founder of the 6th Dynasty
Pepi	Ppj	Unknown	6th	Male	Name used by multiple kings (I, II)
Mentuhotep	Mnṯw-ḥtp	Montu is satisfied	11th	Male	Reunified Egypt (Mentuhotep II most famous)
Senusret	S-n-wsrt	Man of Wosret	12th	Male	Major rulers: Senusret I, II, III
Amenemhat	Jmn-m-ḥꜣt	Amun is at the forefront	12th	Male	Major rulers: Amenemhat I, II, III
Ahmose	ꜥꜣḥ-ms	Born of the Moon	18th	Male	Expelled the Hyksos
Thutmose	Ḏḥwty-ms	Born of Thoth	18th	Male	Thutmose I–IV
Amenhotep	Jmn-ḥtp	Amun is satisfied	18th	Male	Amenhotep I–IV (IV = Akhenaten)
Akhenaten	ꜥḫ-n-jtn	Effective for Aten	18th	Male	Religious revolutionary; formerly Amenhotep IV
Tutankhamun	Twt-ꜥnḫ-jmn	Living image of Amun	18th	Male	Restored traditional religion
Horemheb	Ḥr-m-ḥb	Horus is in festival	18th	Male	Last ruler of 18th Dynasty
Ramesses	Rꜥ-ms-sw	Ra bore him	19th	Male	Used by 11 kings (Ramesses I–XI)
Seti	Sṯj	Of Seth	19th	Male	Seti I & II
Merenptah	Mr-n-Ptḥ	Beloved of Ptah	19th	Male	Son of Ramesses II
Shoshenq	Ššnq	Unknown	22nd	Male	Libyan dynasty founder; several kings used this name
Taharqa	Ṯḥr.qꜣ	Unknown	25th	Male	Nubian king; great builder
Psamtik	Psmṯk	Unknown	26th	Male	Revived native rule (I–III)
Nectanebo	Nḫt-ḥr-ḥbt	Strong is Horus of Hebyt	30th	Male	Nectanebo I & II
Ptolemy	Ptolemaios	Warrior/savior	Ptolemaic	Male	13 kings used this name (I–XV); Macedonian Greek origin

👸 Queens of Dynastic Egypt

Base Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Dynasty/Period	Gender	Notes (Incl. Regnal Number)
Merneith	Mr-njt	Beloved of Neith	1st	Female	Possibly ruled as regent or sovereign
Khentkaus	Ḫnt-kꜣw=s	Foremost of her Ka spirits	4th–5th	Female	Khentkaus I & II both had kingly titles
Tetisheri	Ttj-šrj	Unknown	17th	Female	Matriarch of early 18th dynasty
Ahhotep	ꜥḥ-ḥtp	The Moon is satisfied	17th	Female	Military leader; mother of Ahmose I
Ahmose-Nefertari	ꜥꜣḥ-ms-nfr.t-jrj	Born of the Moon, Beautiful Companion	18th	Female	Deified queen; daughter of Tetisheri
Hatshepsut	ḥꜣt-šps.wt	Foremost of Noble Ladies	18th	Female	Ruled as Pharaoh
Tiye	Tjj	Unknown	18th	Female	Great royal wife of Amenhotep III
Nefertiti	Nfr.t-jtj	The Beautiful One Has Come	18th	Female	Queen of Akhenaten
Ankhesenamun	ꜥnḫ-s-n-jmn	She lives for Amun	18th	Female	Daughter of Nefertiti; wife of Tutankhamun
Tawosret	Tꜣ-wsrt	The Mighty Lady	19th	Female	Ruled as Pharaoh after Siptah
Karomama	Kꜣ-rʿ-mꜥꜥt	The Ka of Ra is righteous	22nd	Female	Divine Adoratrice; high religious authority
Cleopatra	Kleopátrā	Glory of her father	Ptolemaic	Female	Name used by 7 queens (Cleopatra I–VII); Cleopatra VII most famous
Arsinoe	Arsinoē	Unknown	Ptolemaic	Female	Several queens held this name (notably Arsinoe II)
Sobekneferu	Sbḳ-nfr.w	Beauty of Sobek	12th	Female	First confirmed female Pharaoh of Egypt
Neferu	Nfr.w	The Beautiful One	11th	Female	Mother of Mentuhotep II
Nefertari	Nfr.t-jrj	Beautiful Companion	19th	Female	Great Royal Wife of Ramesses II
Mutemwiya	Mwt-m-wjꜣ	Mut is in her barque	18th	Female	Mother of Amenhotep III
Henuttawy	ḥnwt-tꜣ.wj	Mistress of the Two Lands	21st	Female	Royal wife and priestess
Isetnofret	ꜣst-nfr.t	Isis is beautiful	19th	Female	Wife of Ramesses II, mother of Merneptah
Baketmut	Bꜣk.t-Mwt	Handmaiden of Mut	19th	Female	Queen during 19th Dynasty
Tiaa	Ṯꜣꜥ	Unknown	18th	Female	Mother of Thutmose IV
Kemsit	Km-sjt	The Black One	11th	Female	Wife of Mentuhotep II
Sit-Hathor-Yunet	Sꜣt-Ḥwt-Ḥr-Jwn.t	Daughter of Hathor of Dendera	12th	Female	Noblewoman buried with royal regalia
Berenice	Berenikē	Bringer of Victory	Ptolemaic	Female	Name used by multiple queens; notably Berenice II and III
Cleopatra Selene	Kleopátrā Selēnē	Glory of her father, the Moon	Ptolemaic	Female	Daughter of Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony

🏛️ Non-Royal Elites of Dynastic Egypt

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Dynasty/Period	Gender	Notes
Ptahhotep	Ptḥ-ḥtp	Ptah is satisfied	5th	Male	Vizier and author of the Maxims of Ptahhotep
Mereruka	Mr-rw-kꜣ	Beloved of the ka	6th	Male	Vizier; tomb at Saqqara is richly decorated
Hemiunu	Ḥm.j-nw	Servant of the One	4th	Male	Architect of Khufu’s pyramid
Kagemni	Kꜣgmnj	Unknown	6th	Male	Vizier and judge; co-author of wisdom literature
Mehu	Mḥw	Unknown	6th	Male	High official; tomb at Saqqara
Niankhkhnum	N.j-ꜥnḫ-ḫnm	Khnum is my life	5th	Male	Royal manicurist; shared tomb with Khnumhotep
Khnumhotep	Ḫnm-ḥtp	Khnum is satisfied	5th	Male	Royal manicurist; depicted with Niankhkhnum
Senenmut	Sn-n-mwt	Brother of Mut	18th	Male	Steward and architect under Hatshepsut
Amenemhab	Jmn-m-ḥꜣb	Amun is in festival	18th	Male	Military commander under Thutmose III
Maya	Mꜣjꜣ	Justified	18th	Male	Treasurer of Tutankhamun
Rekhmire	Rḫ-mrj	Knowing one who is beloved	18th	Male	Vizier under Thutmose III
Huy	Ḥwj	Unknown	18th	Male	Official under Ramesses II
Tia	Ṯꜣꜥ	Unknown	19th	Male	High official and relative of Ramesses II
Sitre	Sꜣ.t-Rꜥ	Daughter of Ra	19th	Female	Wet nurse and royal official
Nebet	Nbt	The Lady	6th	Female	One of the earliest known female viziers
Idut	Ꜣd.t	The Excellent One	5th	Female	Noblewoman with tomb near Saqqara
Meretites	Mr.t-jt.s	Beloved of her father	4th	Female	Elite woman buried near pyramids
Neferhetepes	Nfr-ḥtp.s	Her peace is beautiful	5th	Female	Mother of Userkaf, high-status noblewoman
Nebetnehat	Nbt-n-ḥꜣt	Lady of the House	18th	Female	Court lady; attested on stelae
Mutnofret	Mwt-nfr.t	Mut is beautiful	18th	Female	Secondary wife of Thutmose I; elite lineage
Takhat	Tꜣ-ḫꜣ.t	The Horizon	19th	Female	Mother of Seti II; high-ranking noblewoman
Iset	ꜣst	Isis	19th	Female	Daughter of Ramesses VI, prominent official
Henutmire	ḥnwt-m-jrj	Mistress of Myrrh	19th	Female	Possibly daughter of Seti I, elite status
Tabeketmut	Tꜣ-bk.t-Mwt	Handmaid of Mut	19th	Female	Elite woman with Theban tomb
Rai	Rꜥ-jj	The Sun is Rising	18th	Female	Royal nurse of Ahmose-Nefertari
Tiaa	Ṯꜣꜥ	Unknown	18th	Female	Elite lady, possibly distinct from royal Tiaa

📜 Scribes of Dynastic Egypt

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Dynasty/Period	Gender	Notes
Amenhotep, son of Hapu	Jmn-ḥtp sꜣ ḥꜣpw	Amun is satisfied, son of Hapu	18th	Male	Architect, priest, and scribe; later deified
Khai	Ḫꜣj	Unknown	19th	Male	Royal scribe of Deir el-Medina
Ramose	Rꜥ-ms	Born of Ra	18th	Male	Scribe of the Tomb under Amenhotep III
Userhat	Wsjr-ḥꜣt	Powerful is the foremost	18th	Male	Scribe and overseer of granaries
Pentawer	Pꜣ-n-tꜣ-wr	Belonging to the Great Land	20th	Male	Accused conspirator and scribe in the Harem Plot
Ani	Ꜣn.j	He who acts	19th	Male	Famous for the Book of the Dead papyrus (scribe of Thebes)
Tjanefer	Ṯꜣ-nfr	The Good One is Coming	21st	Male	Scribe and priest in Thebes
Djehutymose	Ḏḥwtj-ms	Thoth is born	18th	Male	Scribe and high-ranking official under Thutmose III
Khnumhotep	Ḫnm-ḥtp	Khnum is satisfied	12th	Male	Tomb of a prominent scribe at Beni Hasan
Hesy-Ra	Ḥsj-rꜥ	He who is praised by Ra	3rd	Male	Earliest known named scribe; tomb at Saqqara
Ptahshepses	Ptḥ-šsp-s	Ptah is noble	5th	Male	High priest and scribe; married into royal family
Kaaper	Kꜣ-pr	The Ka is at peace	5th	Male	Scribe known from wooden statue ‘Sheikh el-Beled’
Merira	Mrj-Rꜥ	Beloved of Ra	6th	Male	Royal scribe and overseer of pyramid texts
Dua-Khety	Dwꜣ-ḫtj	Adorer of Khety	Middle Kingdom	Male	Author of ‘Instructions of Dua-Khety’
Nefertiry	Nfr.t-jrj	Beautiful one who does	18th	Female	Scribe and artisan’s wife at Deir el-Medina
Nebetiah	Nbt-jꜣḥ	Lady of the Moon	19th	Female	Possible chantress-scribe
Tadibastet	Tꜣ-dj-Bꜣstt	Gift of Bastet	Late	Female	Female temple scribe; attested on stelae
Amenemope	Jmn-m-jp	Amun is in the bark	21st	Male	Scribe of the Instruction of Amenemope
Penrennut	Pꜣ-n-rn-nwt	One of the divine name	19th	Male	Scribe of Seti I’s tomb

⚔️ Military Leaders of Dynastic Egypt

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Dynasty/Period	Gender	Notes
Ahmose son of Ebana	Ꜥḥ-ms sꜣ jbnꜣ	Born of the Moon, son of Ebana	18th	Male	Naval officer who fought under Ahmose I and Thutmose I
Djehuty	Ḏḥwtj	Thoth	18th	Male	General and administrator under Thutmose III
Amenemhab	Jmn-m-ḥꜣb	Amun is in festival	18th	Male	Commander under Thutmose III
Ramose	Rꜥ-ms	Born of Ra	18th	Male	Military official under Amenhotep II
Horemheb	Ḥr-m-ḥb	Horus is in Festival	18th	Male	General who became pharaoh
Panehsy	Pꜣ-nḥsj	The Nubian	20th	Male	Commander of Nubia under Ramesses XI
Setau	Sṯꜣw	Man of the mountains	19th	Male	Viceroy of Kush under Ramesses II
Paser	Pꜣ-sr	The Son	19th	Male	Military commander and governor
Nekhtefmute	Nḫt.f-Mwt	Strong is Mut	22nd	Male	Libyan-period general and high priest of Mut
Wennefer	Wnn-nfr	The One Who Continues Perfectly	19th	Male	Military officer in Thebes
Ahhotep I	Ꜥḥ-ḥtp	Peace of the Moon	17th	Female	Queen who held military command; awarded with ‘fly’ symbol of valor
Arty	Ꜥr.tj	Lioness	Late Period	Female	Commander of foreign troops; attested in Elephantine records
Tawosret	Tꜣ-wsrt	The Mighty Lady	19th	Female	Ruled as king; held military authority before Horemheb
Maatkare Mutemhat	Mꜣꜥt-kꜣ-Rꜥ Mwt-m-ḥꜣt	Maat is the Ka of Ra, Mut is foremost	21st	Female	Held priestly and ceremonial titles with evidence of command
Neithikret	N.t-ḥꜣ.t	Neith is Foremost	6th	Female	Possibly assumed power during transition; some evidence of political and command authority

⛪ Religious Officials of Dynastic Egypt

Name	Transliteration	Meaning	Dynasty/Period	Gender	Notes
Ankhefensekhmet	Ꜥnḫ.f-n-sḫm.t	He lives for Sekhmet	21st	Male	High Priest of Ptah in Memphis
Pinedjem I	Pꜣ-n-dj-M	The Gift of Amun	21st	Male	High Priest of Amun, ruled Thebes as de facto king
Harkhebi	ḥr-ḫb.j	Horus is my lamp	26th	Male	Priest-astronomer and healer
Wennefer	Wnn-nfr	The One Who Continues Perfectly	19th	Male	High Priest of Amun under Ramesses II
Tjanefer	Ṯꜣ-nfr	The Good One is Coming	21st	Male	Priest and Scribe of Amun
Meryt	Mr.t	Beloved	18th	Female	Chantress and priestess of Amun; wife of Sennefer
Henuttawy	ḥnw.t-tꜣ.wj	Mistress of the Two Lands	21st	Female	Daughter of Pinedjem I, held multiple priestly titles
Ankhesenpaaten	Ꜥnḫ-s-n-jtn	She lives for the Aten	18th	Female	Priestess, royal daughter, and consort
Tabekenmut	Tꜣ-bk.t-Mwt	Servant of Mut	21st	Female	Priestess of Mut, depicted in temple rituals
Isiemkheb	Ꜣsj-m-ḫb	She who is in the festival	21st	Female	Chief chantress and royal daughter

📝 How Ancient Egyptian Names Worked

Ancient Egyptian names served as more than identifiers—they conveyed personal values, religious affiliations, familial ties, and aspirations. They could also reflect status or divine favor. In general, individuals had a single given name, sometimes followed by titles or epithets. Unlike modern naming systems, there was no concept of a family surname in ancient Egypt.

🔹 Types of Names:

1. Theophoric Names: Include the name of a deity.
   • Amenhotep (ꜥmn-ḥtp) – “Amun is satisfied”
   • Meryt-Amun (mrỉ.t-ỉmn) – “Beloved of Amun”
   • Tutankhamun (tw.t-ꜥnḫ-ỉmn) – “Living image of Amun”
   • Raia (rˁ-jꜥ) – “Ra is the one who comes forth”
2. Virtue/Descriptive Names: Reflect character, moral status, or ideals.
   • Nefer (nfr) – “Beautiful” or “Perfect”
   • Dedu (ḏdw) – “Enduring”
   • Senefer (s-nfr) – “The good one”
   • Teti – possibly meaning “The one who belongs”
3. Occupational/Functional Names:
   • Sesh (sš) – “Scribe”
   • Heka-nefer – “The good one of magic”
   • Ankhu – “He lives” (used in legal texts)
4. Royal Names: Pharaohs had five names (prenomen, nomen, etc.), but typically we see two in use:
   • Thutmose III – “Born of Thoth” (nomen) and Menkheperre – “Established is the manifestation of Ra” (prenomen)
   • Hatshepsut – “Foremost of noble women”
5. Epithets and Honorifics:
   • Mꜣꜥ ḫrw (maa-kheru) – “True of voice” or “Justified” (used posthumously)
   • Sꜣ n (X) – “Son of (X)”
   • ỉrỉ n (X) – “Made by (X)” – common in artisan attributions

🔸 Not Used:

• No last names or surnames in the modern sense
• Rare use of matronymics unless status of mother was notable
• Locatives (e.g., “of Thebes”) are not attested as name parts in native usage but may appear in titles

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📚 Naming Patterns Across Dynastic Egypt

Although the structure of Egyptian names stayed relatively consistent, trends and popular elements changed with time and dynastic shifts. Recognizing these patterns helps you choose names that align with your persona’s period and setting.

🏛️ Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BCE)

• Names often short, rooted in moral or spiritual values
• Frequent use of god names: Ptahhotep, Khafra, Nefermaat
• Officials used titles rather than added name parts

🌾 Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1650 BCE)

• Rise of compound names: Senusret, Amenemhat
• Many names feature Amun, reflecting growing Theban cult
• Increased personalization and complexity in naming

👑 New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE)

• Elaborate names link pharaohs with divine legitimacy
• Use of full titulary becomes common: e.g., Nebmaatre for Amenhotep III
• Non-royal names still reflect deities or virtues: Khaemwaset, Ramose, Nebetnehat

🏺 Ptolemaic Period (c. 332–30 BCE)

• Dual naming system: Greek names used publicly, Egyptian names privately or religiously
• Greek examples: Ptolemaios, Arsinoë, Cleopatra
• Egyptian examples: Pasherenptah, Taimhotep
• Deity names often combine with Greek: Isidoros (gift of Isis)

⚖️ Gender-Neutral & Ambiguous Names

• Some names appear in both male and female contexts:
  • Ahmose (ˁꜥ-ḥ-ms) – “Child of the moon”
  • Nefer (nfr) – “Beautiful”
  • Khay (ḫꜥỉ) – “Rising one”
  • Qen – attested for both sexes in Deir el-Medina

⚠️ Note for SCA Use:

When documenting a name, you may:

• Choose a single given name in period style
• Add a broadly plausible occupational or descriptive byname, such as “the Scribe” or “of the House of Life”
• Avoid modern constructs like surnames or locative bynames unless strongly supported by your sources

🏷️ Using Titles in SCA Names: What You Need to Know

In the SCA, personal names may not include reserved titles such as Lady, Lord, Duke, Pharaoh, King, Princess, or any rank-specific designation protected by the Society’s rules. This applies across all cultures, including ancient Egypt.

❌ What Cannot Be Registered:

• Names like “Pharaoh Djedkara” or “Queen Ankhesenamun”
• Honorifics such as “Hem-netjer” (“Servant of the god,” often a priestly title)
• Titles like “Overseer of the Granaries”, “High Priest of Amun”, or “Commander of Troops”

These terms may be used as persona descriptions or in storytelling, but not as part of a name submission.

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✅ What May Be Allowed:

According to the SCA College of Arms rules, you may be able to document:

• A documented occupational byname (e.g., “scribe,” “builder,” or “weaver”), if it is attested as a name element, not just a job title.
• An epithet-style phrase that does not imply rank, such as:
  • Neferu the Beloved
  • Khay of the Marshes (if “of the Marshes” can be reasonably documented)
• Descriptive phrases or honorifics not reserved (e.g., “the Justified”)

You are always encouraged to work with a consulting herald to determine what elements are permissible.

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📜 Important Notes for Ancient Egyptian Names:

• Titles were a major part of elite Egyptian identity—but they are not part of personal name structure and are typically not appropriate to register in SCA names.
• For example, Ptahhotep was a historical vizier, but his name did not include his title. You can register Ptahhotep, but not Vizier Ptahhotep.
• If your persona portrays a priest, artisan, or administrator, you can note that in your persona story or display—just not in the registered name.

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🔖 Helpful Resources:

• SCA College of Arms Admin Handbook, Section II.B.4 – Reserved Titles
• SENA (Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory) – NPN.1.B (Name Patterns), and PN.4.B (Titles and Styles)
• Your Kingdom’s Heraldic Consultation Table

🏛️ Submitting Ancient Egyptian Names to the SCA: Practical Guidelines

When submitting an ancient Egyptian name to the SCA’s College of Heralds, there are a few unique considerations to keep in mind. Ancient Egyptian names don’t follow modern naming patterns, so they often require careful explanation and extra documentation to meet heraldic standards.

✅ What Can Be Submitted:

• A single given name from a verifiable source
  → e.g., Neferet, Ahmose, Meryra, Tutmosis
• A documented compound name from ancient Egyptian records
  → e.g., Ptahhotep, Merytaten, Horiemheb
• A historically attested name with a known transliteration from a reputable academic source

⚠️ What You Cannot Submit:

• A name that includes a title or rank
  → ❌ Pharaoh Hatshepsut, ❌ Vizier Ptahhotep
• A name that mixes modern surname or locative patterns
  → ❌ Nefer of Cairo, ❌ Khaemwaset al-Thebes
• A name constructed from undocumented elements or fictional combinations

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🛠️ Tips for a Successful Submission:

1. Use a Standard Transliteration
   Choose a well-known academic transliteration (e.g., Allen, Faulkner, or Hannig). If your name appears in multiple styles, pick one and stay consistent.
   → Meryra, not Mery-Ra or Mery-Re (unless that’s how it appears in your source).
2. Cite Academic Sources
   Acceptable references include:
   • Lexikon der ägyptischen Götter und Götterbezeichnungen
   • Middle Egyptian: An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs (Allen)
   • Excavation reports, museum object catalogs, or stelae inscriptions from Egyptological databases
3. Include Meaning if Available
   It’s helpful to explain the name’s meaning and structure:“The name Neferhotep (nfr-ḥtp) means ‘Beautiful and at peace,’ and is attested for multiple individuals in the 13th Dynasty.”
4. Avoid Constructed or Modern Names
   Even if a name “sounds Egyptian,” if it is not attested in period, it will likely be rejected.
5. Use One Name Only If Unsure
   Egyptian names typically consist of one element, so you don’t need to create a full name with multiple parts unless you have evidence.

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📌 What About Gender?

Some names are clearly masculine (Thutmose, Ramose) or feminine (Meritamun, Sitamun), but others were used by both:

• Ahmose – “Child of the moon”
• Khay – “Rising one”
• Nefer – “Beautiful”

If your chosen name was used by multiple genders historically, make sure your documentation reflects this flexibility. The SCA allows for persona flexibility regardless of your personal gender identity.

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🧭 Navigating Heraldic Assistance

If you’re unsure how to document your name:

• Contact your Kingdom’s Heraldic Consultation Table
• Use resources like the Medieval Names Archive or OSCARA (if available)
• Ask experienced heralds for help drafting a name documentation letter

Your documentation doesn’t need to be long—but it must be clear, supported, and historically grounded.

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📌 Transliteration Standards & Citation Notes

🔠 Transliteration Standards

All names in this document have been transliterated using a consistent system based on standard Egyptological conventions, primarily following the Manuel de Codage (MdC) and the system outlined by James P. Allen in his work on Middle Egyptian. Characters are approximated for readability and consistency across typographic platforms. Variants are noted where attested, and users are encouraged to consult original inscriptions or museum catalogs when exact spelling is required.

📘 Key Sources & Suggested References

• Allen, James P. *Middle Egyptian: An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs*. 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2014.

• Baines, John, and Jaromír Málek. *Atlas of Ancient Egypt*. Facts on File, 1980.

• Franke, Detlef. *Personendaten aus dem Mittleren Reich*. OBO 86. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1984.

• Gardiner, Alan H. *Egyptian Grammar: Being an Introduction to the Study of Hieroglyphs*. 3rd ed. Griffith Institute, 1957.

• Lichtheim, Miriam. *Ancient Egyptian Literature: A Book of Readings*. Volumes I–III. University of California Press, 1973–1980.

• Quirke, Stephen. *Titles and Bureaux of Egypt 1850–1700 BC*. Golden House Publications, 2004.

• Wilkinson, Richard H. *The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt*. Thames & Hudson, 2003.

• Wegner, Josef. *The Sunshade Chapel of Meritaten from the House-of-Waenre of Akhenaten at South Abydos*. University of Pennsylvania Museum, 2015.

• Yoyotte, Jean. *Les Trésors des Pharaons*. Éditions Gallimard, 1981.