Egyptian Names

Female

At least some names seem to have been used for both males and females in Ancient Egypt and it is possible that they were all interchangeable. Women tended to be given epithets praising their beauty or behaviour which would have been unsuitable for men such as 'Nefertiti' ('a beautiful woman comes'). The element 'et' appears to have been a feminine 'ending' although it can occur in the middle of the name. The addition 'ta-sherit' or 'junior' was given to the names of Akhenaten's daughters when they had daughters of their own by him (Meritaten-ta-sherit, Ankhesenpaaten-ta-sherit).

This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.

Copies may be made for personal use only.