Cairo is a unique and exotic name of Egyptian origin. It means "victorious" or "conqueror," which is fitting considering the city of Cairo's history as a cultural and political center for centuries. The name Cairo has been used by both boys and girls, although it is more commonly associated with males in modern times.
The city of Cairo was founded in 969 AD by the Fatimid caliph Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah, who named it al-Qahirah, meaning "the victorious" or "the conqueror." Over time, this name became corrupted to Cairo when translated into English. While the name Cairo is most commonly associated with the Egyptian city, there are other places around the world that share the same name, such as Cairo, Illinois in the United States.
The use of Cairo as a given name is relatively rare compared to other names of Egyptian origin like Cleopatra or Tutankhamun. However, it has been used throughout history by notable figures. For example, there was a fourth-century Christian saint named Saint Cairo who was martyred for his faith. Additionally, Cairo is also the name of several historical figures from various cultures and time periods.
In literature, Cairo has been used as a character name in works such as Naguib Mahfouz's "Cairo Trilogy" and Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist." These appearances have helped to popularize the name among readers who may not be familiar with its historical significance.
Overall, Cairo is an unusual and captivating name that embodies strength, victory, and cultural richness. Its origins in ancient Egypt make it a fascinating choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Cairo has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States.
From just six births in 1979 and five births in 1980, there was a gradual increase in the number of babies named Cairo each year. However, it wasn't until the late 1990s that we started to see a more substantial rise in popularity for this name.
The turning point seems to be around the year 2000 when the number of births with the name Cairo began to double every few years. In fact, between 2000 and 2023, there was a remarkable increase from just 19 births in 2001 to over 1,000 births in both 2021 and 2022.
This data suggests that Cairo has become an increasingly popular choice for parents naming their children in the United States. As of 2023, it is one of the most commonly chosen names for newborn boys in the country.