Declining since 2020, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Pharoah since 1936
Babies named Pharoah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 64 |
| 1980s | 23 |
| 1990s | 81 |
| 2000s | 164 |
| 2010s | 218 |
| 2020s | 123 |
Meaning & origin
The name Pharoah, a variant spelling of Pharaoh, is exceedingly rare in the United States. It first appeared on record in 1936, but its peak usage came much later, in 2020, when it reached its highest rank. Since then, its trajectory has been falling. With a 2025 rank of 8910 and an incidence of 1 in 213,510 boys, it remains an unconventional choice. No states reported a concentration of the name in 2025. The name's powerful historical and biblical resonance may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive name with ancient gravitas.
Pharoah is a variant spelling of Pharaoh, from the Egyptian 'per-aa' meaning 'great house', originally referring to the royal palace. In the Bible, it became the title for the kings of Egypt. As a given name, it emerged rarely in the 20th century, likely due to its striking historical and biblical associations, but it remains uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Phar, Ro
Variants: Pharaoh
Sibling names for Pharoah
Names that share Pharoah's style, for a brother or sister.
