Cairo

Pronunciation: [ k-EYER-oh ]

Boy Name #356 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A bold Egyptian city name meaning the victorious

American

Bold Unique Modern Earthy Adventurous

Meaning & Origin

"the victorious (Arabic city name)"

Origin: Arabic (Al-Qahira)

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Cairo

Cairo (character) Fictional

Other

The nickname of Joel Cairo, the mysterious antagonist played by Peter Lorre in The Maltese Falcon (1941)

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

Pairs Well With

Cairo James Cairo Lee Cairo Alexander Cairo Milo Cairo Orion Cairo Sage Cairo Asher

Sibling Names

Phoenix London Atlas Zara River Sahara Dante

Also a Girl Name

Cairo is also used as a girl name, ranked #4021.

View Cairo as a girl name →

Similar Names

Otto Ira Miles Milo Miller Tyler Milan Myles

Playground Safety

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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 and Ro.

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.