"guardian of the underworld"
Anubis
Pronunciation: [ uhn-OOB-ihs ]
Does Anubis flow with your last name?
Guardian of the underworld: ancient Egypt's most iconic god
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Similar Names
Names Like Anubis
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Anubis
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Similar to Anubis
See all →What the Anubis report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Anubis the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Put Anubis head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →See what Anubis actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the Egyptian god of the dead and embalming — may prompt questions about the mythology choice
The Story of Anubis
Anubis is the Latinized form of the Ancient Egyptian name 'Anpu' or 'Inpw,' which may derive from a word meaning 'royal child' or relate to a term for a dog or jackal. Anubis was one of the oldest and most important gods in the Ancient Egyptian pantheon, depicted with the body of a man and the head of a jackal. He was the guardian of the dead, overseer of embalming, and guide of souls to the afterlife.
Anubis has seen growing use as a given name among families drawn to mythology-inspired names, a trend accelerated by video games, comics, and films featuring Egyptian mythology. Its distinctive sound and powerful associations attract parents who want a name unlike any other.
In Ancient Egyptian religion, Anubis was one of the most revered gods, present at every burial. He is depicted weighing the heart of the deceased against the feather of Ma'at (truth) to determine their fate in the afterlife. The jackal-headed god remains one of the most recognized symbols of ancient Egypt.
Historical Record
Anubis first appeared in US Social Security records in 2002.
Over 262 babies have been named Anubis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Anubis is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,026 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Anubis is one of the oldest Egyptian gods, with worship dating back to at least 3100 BCE
- He was replaced as chief god of the dead by Osiris but retained his role as guide of souls
- The jackal was associated with Anubis because jackals were observed near Egyptian burial sites
Anubis in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Anubis
Anubis
Other
Ancient Egyptian god of the dead, mummification, and the afterlife, depicted with a jackal head
Anubis (Kane Chronicles) Fictional
Other
Fictionalized version of the Egyptian god appearing in Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles book series
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,026
- Total SSA Count
- 20
- Cultural Origins
- Egyptian Neo-pagan Western
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Anubis
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Anubis fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Anubis →For Parents
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 Anubis with...
Same Origin Names (Egyptian)
See all Egyptian names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Anubis
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Anubis and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Anubis 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 →Latin augere origin
"to increase, to grow"
#5,153 in US
Sanskrit origin
"the musical note Re (second note in s..."
#5,109 in US
Latin gaudia origin
"rejoicing, celebration"
#4,996 in US
American origin
"modern nature compound name"
#5,064 in US
Greek origin
"strong man"
#5,071 in US
Welsh origin
"the greatest one, supreme ruler"
#5,183 in US
Arabic origin
"commander, leader"
#4,915 in US
Old Norse Óðr origin
"fury, divine madness, inspiration"
#5,107 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Anubis's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anubis
What does the name Anubis mean?
What is the origin of the name Anubis?
Is Anubis a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Anubis?
How popular is the name Anubis?
What are common nicknames for Anubis?
What are good middle names for Anubis?
What are good sibling names for Anubis?
How many syllables does Anubis have?
Is Anubis a common or rare name?
About the Name Anubis
Anubis is a boy name with Egyptian, Neo-pagan, and Western origins . The name means "guardian of the underworld" in Ancient Egyptian .
Anubis is currently ranked #5,026 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Anubis has 3 syllables and is pronounced uhn-OOB-ihs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Anubis include Anu and Bis. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Recommended for Parents
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