The name Cairo is of Egyptian origin and has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It is derived from the ancient Egyptian word "Kah-Ra," which means "the sanctuary of Ra." Ra was the sun god in Egyptian mythology, revered for his life-giving powers.
Cairo itself is a city that carries this name, having been founded around 969 AD by the Fatimid dynasty. As the capital of Egypt, it has stood as a cultural and historical hub for centuries, attracting visitors from all over the world to explore its ancient sites such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
The use of Cairo as a given name is less common than as a place name, but it does appear in some cultures. In the Middle East, for instance, it may be used as a masculine given name meaning "victorious." However, when used as a given name outside of these regions, its association with the city is often more prominent.
In literature and popular culture, Cairo has been used as a setting or character name in various works. One notable example is in T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land," where it is mentioned alongside other cities like London and Vienna. Additionally, it has been used as a character name in novels such as "Cairo: A History" by Max Rodenbeck.
Despite its unique history and association with one of the world's most famous cities, Cairo remains relatively uncommon as a given name. Nevertheless, its roots in ancient Egyptian culture and mythology make it an intriguing choice for parents looking for a distinctive name with deep historical significance.
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 11 births in 1994, there were only five births in 1995 before seeing an uptick to 13 births in 1996.
The numbers fluctuated between six and nine births annually from 1997 to 2002. However, after a gap of four years without any reported births with the name Cairo, it reemerged with seven births in 2006.
Since then, there has been a consistent increase in the number of babies named Cairo each year. In 2018, there were 29 births, which more than doubled to 72 births in 2019. This trend continued into 2020 and 2021 with 53 and 68 births respectively.
In 2022, there were 56 babies named Cairo, marking a decrease from the previous year but still significantly higher than the number of births in the early to mid-1990s. The latest data shows that in 2023, there have been 47 births with the name Cairo.
Overall, these statistics suggest that the name Cairo has gained popularity over time in the United States, with a significant increase in the number of babies being given this name since around 2018.