Cairo Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KY-roh //ˈkaɪ.roʊ//
Origin: Arabic; Egyptian
Meaning: Arabic: 'victorious'; Egyptian: 'the city of the sun'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cairo has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "al-Qāhirah," which translates to "the victorious." This name was given to the city of Cairo, founded in the 10th century CE, and reflects the city's historical significance as a center of power and culture in the Islamic world. The Arabic term itself is a combination of the root "q-h-r," which conveys the idea of overcoming or conquering.
The name was adopted into various languages, including English, primarily through the influence of historical texts and the prominence of the city in global affairs, particularly during the Middle Ages. Cairo's historical milestones are deeply intertwined with the rise of Islamic civilization.
The city became the capital of Egypt under the Fatimid Caliphate in the 10th century and served as a major hub for trade, scholarship, and the arts. It was during this period that Cairo flourished, attracting scholars and artists from across the Islamic world.
The city is also notable for its architectural achievements, including the construction of the Al-Azhar Mosque and the Cairo Citadel, which further solidified its status as a cultural and political center. The name Cairo carries significant cultural resonance, symbolizing strength and resilience.
It is often associated with the rich history of Egypt, encompassing ancient civilizations and the Islamic Golden Age. The name evokes images of a vibrant city that has withstood the test of time, embodying both historical depth and cultural richness.
While diminutive forms of the name are not widely recognized, the connection to the city itself imbues the name with a sense of grandeur and historical importance, making it a noteworthy choice in various cultural contexts.
Fictional characters named Cairo
The following list of fictional characters named Cairo is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Cairo is a fictional character from the film The Mummy. He is a member of the Medjai, a group dedicated to protecting the world from ancient evils.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cairo, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cairo. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Cairo was first seen in the United States in 1979.
Cairo has ranked as high as #549 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Cairo has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cairo is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cairo was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Cairo (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 98 | |
| FL | 87 | |
| TX | 83 | |
| NY | 66 | |
| GA | 59 | |
| NC | 53 | |
| PA | 37 | |
| MD | 36 | |
| VA | 33 | |
| OH | 30 | |
| IL | 30 | |
| MI | 24 | |
| SC | 21 | |
| TN | 20 | |
| MA | 19 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cairo.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 944 |
| 2023 | 1,010 |
| 2022 | 1,101 |
| 2021 | 1,020 |
| 2020 | 918 |
| 2019 | 975 |
| 2018 | 543 |
| 2017 | 404 |
| 2016 | 267 |
| 2015 | 223 |
| 2014 | 173 |
| 2013 | 157 |
| 2012 | 105 |
| 2011 | 93 |
| 2010 | 46 |
| 2009 | 58 |
| 2008 | 45 |
| 2007 | 36 |
| 2006 | 51 |
| 2005 | 42 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2000 | 25 |
| 1999 | 13 |
| 1998 | 17 |
| 1997 | 9 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1989 | 7 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1979 | 6 |