Pharaoh

Pronunciation: [ f-EHR-oh ]

Boy Name #1,760 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The great house — a name fit for rulers of eternity

Ancient Egyptian African-American American

Bold Royal Unique Strong

Meaning & Origin

"great house"

Origin: Ancient Egyptian

Language: English

"supreme ruler"

Origin: Egyptian via Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Pharaoh

Pharaoh derives from the Ancient Egyptian per-aa, literally meaning great house, originally referring to the royal palace rather than the king himself. Over time it became the title for the rulers of Ancient Egypt. The word passed through Hebrew (Paroh) and Greek into English, where it now evokes supreme power and ancient majesty.

Pharaoh as a given name is a bold, rare choice found most often in African-American communities and among families who want to invoke the legacy of Ancient Egyptian civilization and Black African history. It carries undeniable power and uniqueness.

The pharaohs of Ancient Egypt built some of humanity's greatest monuments and governed one of history's most enduring civilizations. For African-American families, choosing the name Pharaoh connects to African history and the reclamation of ancient Black excellence.

Fun Facts

The word pharaoh originally meant great house, referring to the palace, not the king
Pharaoh Monch is an American rapper who chose this name for its powerful ancient connotations
Over 170 pharaohs ruled Ancient Egypt during its 3000-year civilization

Pharaoh in Other Languages

Greek Pharaon

Arabic Firaun

Hebrew Paroh

Spanish Faraon

Ancient Egyptian Per-aa

Famous People Named Pharaoh

Pharaoh Monch

Musician

1971

American rapper and lyricist known for Simon Says and his work with Organized Konfusion

Ramesses II

Royalty

Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, often called Ramesses the Great, one of history's most powerful rulers

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,760
Total SSA Count: 94
Cultural Origins: Ancient Egyptian African-American American
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Pha Ro

Pairs Well With

Pharaoh Amun Pharaoh Osiris Pharaoh James Pharaoh Marcus Pharaoh King Pharaoh Solomon

Sibling Names

Nile Cairo Cleopatra Isis Ramses Osiris

Also a Girl Name

Pharaoh is also used as a girl name, ranked #41163.

View Pharaoh as a girl name →

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Pharaoh and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Pharaoh sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore 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

Frequently Asked Questions About Pharaoh

What does the name Pharaoh mean?

"great house" (from Ancient Egyptian). "supreme ruler" (from Egyptian via Hebrew). Pharaoh derives from the Ancient Egyptian per-aa, literally meaning great house, originally referring to the royal palace rather than the king himself. Over time it became the title for the rulers of Ancient Egypt. The word passed through Hebrew (Paroh) and Greek into English, where it now evokes supreme power and ancient majesty.

What is the origin of the name Pharaoh?

Pharaoh has Ancient Egyptian, Egyptian via Hebrew, African-American, and American origins. In Ancient Egyptian, it means "great house". In Egyptian via Hebrew, it means "supreme ruler".

Is Pharaoh a boy or girl name?

Pharaoh is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1760. As a girl name, it is ranked #41163. Pharaoh is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Pharaoh?

Pharaoh is pronounced f-EHR-oh.

How popular is the name Pharaoh?

Pharaoh is currently ranked #1760 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Pharaoh?

Common nicknames for Pharaoh include Pha and Ro.

What are good middle names for Pharaoh?

Popular middle name pairings include Pharaoh Amun, Pharaoh Osiris, Pharaoh James, Pharaoh Marcus, Pharaoh King, and Pharaoh Solomon.

What are good sibling names for Pharaoh?

Names that pair well with Pharaoh as siblings include Nile, Cairo, Cleopatra, Isis, Ramses, and Osiris.

How many syllables does Pharaoh have?

Pharaoh has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Pharaoh a common or rare name?

Pharaoh is an uncommon name, ranked #1760 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Pharaoh

Pharaoh is a boy name with Ancient Egyptian, African-American, and American origins . The name means "great house" in Ancient Egyptian .

Is Pharaoh a boy or girl name? Pharaoh is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,760 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #41,163. Pharaoh is more commonly used as a boy name.

Pharaoh is currently ranked #1,760 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Pharaoh has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-EHR-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Pharaoh include Pha and Ro. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.