"the victorious (Arabic city name)"
Origin: Arabic (Al-Qahira)
Language: English
Cairo
Pronunciation: [ k-EYER-oh ]
Does Cairo flow with your last name?
A bold Egyptian city name meaning the victorious
American
Bold
Unique
Modern
Earthy
Adventurous
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Cairo
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Cairo
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Cairo
See all →What the Cairo report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Cairo the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Cairo
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Cairo head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Cairo actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Cairo
Cairo takes its name from Al-Qahira, the Arabic name for Egypt's capital city, meaning the victorious — named for Mars (Al-Qahir, literally the subduer or conqueror), which was rising when the Fatimid caliph al-Muizz founded the city in 970 AD. As an English given name, Cairo follows the American fashion of using global city names as first names, joining Phoenix, Brooklyn, London, and Savannah.
Cairo has been a gradually rising name in the US since the 2010s, part of the place-name trend driven by parents wanting names that sound adventurous and globally aware. It appeals to families who love the sound of Kyler or Arlo but want something with dramatic historical weight.
Cairo is one of Africa's oldest and most significant cities, home to over 20 million people and situated near the ancient pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. As a given name, Cairo carries associations with antiquity, mystery, and the grandeur of one of history's greatest civilizations.
Historical Record
Cairo first appeared in US Social Security records in 1979.
Over 8,444 babies have been named Cairo in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cairo is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #356 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Cairo's Arabic name Al-Qahira literally means the victorious or the subduer, named after Mars which was rising at the city's founding in 970 AD
- The Cairo region has been continuously inhabited for over 6,000 years, and the nearby pyramids of Giza are among the oldest standing structures on Earth
Cairo in Other Languages
Arabic
Al-Qahira (the original)
French
Le Caire
German
Kairo
Italian
Il Cairo
Spanish
El Cairo
Popularity Over Time
#356
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cairo
C
Cairo (character) Fictional
Other
The nickname of Joel Cairo, the mysterious antagonist played by Peter Lorre in The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Alonzo
Boy
"noble"
#514
Kash
Boy
"hollow (place)"
#293
Barrett
Boy
"bear strength, brave as a bear"
#186
Deacon
Boy
"one who serves"
#551
Kaiden
Boy
"battle"
#207
Compare Cairo with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #356
- Total SSA Count
- 944
- Cultural Origins
- American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Cai
Ro
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cairo
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Cairo fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Cairo is also used as a girl name, ranked #4021.
View Cairo as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Cairo →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Cairo with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Cairo
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Cairo and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Cairo sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Alonzo
Boy
Old High German origin
"noble"
#514 in US
Kash
Boy
Old English origin
"hollow (place)"
#293 in US
Barrett
Boy
Germanic origin
"bear strength, brave as a bear"
#186 in US
Deacon
Boy
Ecclesiastical Latin origin
"one who serves"
#551 in US
Kaiden
Boy
Gaelic (cadhan) origin
"battle"
#207 in US
Raiden
Boy
Japanese Shinto origin
"thunder god"
#449 in US
Cole
Boy
Old English origin
"coal, swarthy"
#162 in US
Beckett
Boy
Old English origin
"from the brook"
#166 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Cairo's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cairo
What does the name Cairo mean?
"the victorious (Arabic city name)" (from Arabic (Al-Qahira)). Cairo takes its name from Al-Qahira, the Arabic name for Egypt's capital city, meaning the victorious — named for Mars (Al-Qahir, literally the subduer or conqueror), which was rising when the Fatimid caliph al-Muizz founded the city in 970 AD. As an English given name, Cairo follows the American fashion of using global city names as first names, joining Phoenix, Brooklyn, London, and Savannah.
What is the origin of the name Cairo?
Cairo has Arabic (Al-Qahira) and American origins. In Arabic (Al-Qahira), it means "the victorious (Arabic city name)".
Is Cairo a boy or girl name?
Cairo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #356. As a girl name, it is ranked #4021. Cairo is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cairo?
Cairo is pronounced k-EYER-oh.
How popular is the name Cairo?
Cairo is currently ranked #356 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cairo?
Common nicknames for Cairo include Cai.
What are good middle names for Cairo?
Popular middle name pairings include Cairo James, Cairo Lee, Cairo Alexander, Cairo Milo, Cairo Orion, Cairo Sage, and Cairo Asher.
What are good sibling names for Cairo?
Names that pair well with Cairo as siblings include Phoenix, London, Atlas, Zara, River, Sahara, and Dante.
How many syllables does Cairo have?
Cairo has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cairo a common or rare name?
Cairo is a popular name, ranked #356 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Cairo
Cairo is a boy name with American origins . The name means "the victorious (Arabic city name)" in Arabic (Al-Qahira) .
Is Cairo a boy or girl name? Cairo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #356 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,021. Cairo is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cairo is currently ranked #356 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cairo has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-EYER-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cairo include Cai and Ro. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Arabic (Al-Qahira) Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More boy names like Cairo
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis