Declining since 1992, #8,860 for girls today.
Popularity of Nefertiti since 1969
Babies named Nefertiti per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 7 |
| 1970s | 157 |
| 1980s | 187 |
| 1990s | 212 |
| 2000s | 120 |
| 2010s | 130 |
| 2020s | 78 |
Meaning & origin
Nefertiti, derived from the ancient Egyptian for 'the beautiful one has come,' has appeared in modern U.S. birth records since 1969. Its usage peaked in 1980, when it reached its highest rank of 3,456, reflecting a cultural moment of interest in African heritage and ancient Egypt. Since 1992, its popularity has been in steady decline, falling to a rank of 8,860 in 2025. The name remains rare, with roughly 1 in 146,000 newborns carrying it in the latest year. While Nefertiti has never been among the most common names in any state, its staying power over six decades attests to its enduring appeal as a powerful and historically significant choice.
Nefertiti derives from the ancient Egyptian name Nfr.t-jy.tj, composed of nfr 'beautiful' and jy.tj 'she has come.' It was the name of the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten during the 14th century BCE, renowned for her beauty and power. The name entered English use via biblical and Egyptological sources and has seen sporadic modern usage since the 1960s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nef, Titi, Nefa
Variants: Neferete, Nofretete
Sibling names for Nefertiti
Names that share Nefertiti's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ankhesenamun, Hatshepsut, Cleopatra, Isis, Maat
Brothers: Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, Ramesses, Thutmose, Osiris, Pharaoh
