Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt

The royal titulary of the Egyptian Pharaohs was the standard naming convention taken by the kings of Ancient Egypt. It symbolises their supremacy and holy might. The names were sometimes altered during the reign to mark an important event.

The knowledge to read and write hieroglyphs was lost by 450 CE, and would remain so until the 1820s, when the Rosetta Stone was deciphered, enabling the reading of the hieroglyphs again. Hieroglyphic writing does not normally indicate vowels, and in modern transcriptions, an 'e' is added between consonants to aid in their pronunciation. Since the ancient Egyptian language has been dead for two millennia, the knowledge of how the writing was actually pronounced can only be estimated.

To be consistent, the hieroglyphic sun disc ⊙ (Gardiner sign N5) is always transliterated as Ra on these pages, despite the use of Re being more common among Egyptologists, if also arbitrarily used. (i.e. Ramesses and Neferkare both inlude the N5-sign, but one as Ra, the other as Re.)

The combined names form the royal titulary, which consisted of the Horus, Nebty, Golden Horus, Throne, and Birth names. Some pharaohs are only known by one or two of the five names, and many remain to be assigned to the correct king. All known and most unidentified names of the pharaohs can be found here.

List of the Pharaohs

The pharaohs of ancient Egypt, from predynastic times up to and including the roman emperors, who were not pharaohs as such, but are included here because some of their names were inscribed on monuments using hieroglyphs. The chronological order of the pharaohs is difficult to determine because it has been more than 2,000 years since the last one ruled. It is comparable to putting together a complicated puzzle that is missing half of its pieces with an unknown number of similar looking pieces from other puzzles mixed in that may or may not belong – all while being blindfolded. Egyptologists and historians are still trying to figure it out, and many ingenious solutions have been made.

Predynastic kings

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names
1	Seka	Hsekiu
2	Khayu	Iukha
3	Tiu	Teyew
4	Tjesh	Thesh, Tesh
5	Neheb	Niheb
6	Wenegbu	Wazner, Wadjenedj
7	Mekh	Imykhet

Dynasty I

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Narmer	Menes	2900–
2	Aha	Hor-Aha	?–2870
3	Djer	Hor-Djer	2870–2823
4	Djet	Wadj, Zet, Uadji	2822–2815
5	Den	Dewen, Udimu	2814–2772
6	Adjib	Anedjib, Enezib	2771–2764
7	Semerkhet		2763–2756
8	Qaa	Kaa	2755–2732

Dynasty II

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Hotepsekhemwy	Hetepsekhemwy, Hotepsekhemui	2730–?
2	Nebra	Raneb, Kakau	?–2700
3	Ninetjer	Nynetjer, Banetjer	2700–2660
4	Wadjenes
5	Senedj	Sened	?–2610
6	Sekhemib		2650–?
7	Peribsen	Seth-Peribsen, Perabsen	2660–2650
8	Sneferka	Sekanefer, Neferseka, Seneferka
9	Neferkasokar
10	Hudjefa I
11	Khasekhemwy	Khasekhemui	2610–2593

Dynasty III

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Nebka	Hen Nekht (not in use anymore)
2	Djoser	Zezer, Zozer, Djeser	2592–2566
3	Sekhemkhet	Djosertety, Djoserteti, Djoserty	2565–2559
4	Hudjefa II
5	Mesochris
6	Nebkara	Nebkare
7	Neferkara	Neferkare
8	Huni		?–2544

Dynasty IV

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Sneferu	Snefru, Snofru	2543–2510
2	Khufu	Cheops	2509–2483
3	Radjedef	Djedefra, Djedefre	2482–2475
4	Khafra	Khafre, Chephren, Khefren	2472–2448
5	Menkaura	Menkaure, Mykerinos, Mycerinus	2447–2442
6	Shepseskaf		2441–2436
7	Baufra	Baefra, Baufre, Baka, Bicheris, Bikka	2474–2473
8	Thamphthis	Djedefptah, Ptahdjedef
9	Hordjedef	Djedefhor

Dynasty V

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Userkaf		2435–2429
2	Sahura	Sahure	2428–2416
3	Neferirkara I Kakai	Nerferirkare I	2415–2405
4	Shepseskara Netjeruser	Shepseskare
5	Neferefra Isi	Neferefre, Raneferef	2403
6	Niuserra Ini	Niuserre	2402–2374
7	Menkauhor Kaiu	Horikau, Ikauhor	2373–2366
8	Djedkara Isesi	Djedkare Isesi	2365–2322
9	Unas	Wenis, Unis	2321–2306

Dynasty VI

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Teti		2305–2279
2	Userkara	Userkare, Woserkare
3	Pepi I	Pepy I	2276–2228
4	Nemtiemsaf I	Nemtyemsaf I, Merenre I	2227–2217
5	Pepi II	Pepy II, Neferkare	2216–2153
6	Nemtiemsaf II	Nemtyemsaf II, Merenre II	2152

Dynasty VII

There is no evidence of a seventh dynasty.

Africanus wrote that 70 kings ruled for 70 days,
while Eusebius wrote that 5 kings of ruled for 75 days.

Dynasty VIII

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names
1	Netjerikara	Netjerikare, Nitocris
2	Menkara	Menkare
3	Neferkara II	Neferkare II
4	Neferkara Neby	Neferkare Neby
5	Djedkara Shemai	Djedkare Shemay
6	Neferkara Khendu	Neferkare Khendu
7	Merenhor
8	Neferkamin I	Seneferka
9	Nikara	Nikare
10	Neferkara Tereru	Neferkare Tereru
11	Neferkahor
12	Neferkara Pepiseneb	Neferkare Pepiseneb
13	Neferkamin Anu
14	Qakara Ibi
15	Neferkaura	Neferkaure
16	Neferkauhor
17	Neferirkara II	Neferirkare II

Dynasty IX

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names
1	Meribra Khety I	Meribre Khety I
2	Neferkara III	Neferkare III
3	Wahkara Khety II	Wahkare Khety II
4	Senen
5	Neferkara Khety III	Neferkare Khety I

Dynasty X

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Nebkaura Khety IV	Nebkaure Khety IV, Khety V	between 2160 and 2130
2	Merikara	Merykare	c. 2075–2040
?	Sekhemkara I	Sekhemkare I
?	Wadjkara	Wadjkare
?	Ity
?	Imhotep
?	Hotep
?	Khui
?	Isu
?	Iytenu

Dynasty XI

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Mentuhotep I	Mentuhotep-aa
2	Intef I	Antef I, Anjotef I, Inyotef I
3	Intef II	Antef II, Anjotef II, Inyotef II	2066–2017
4	Intef III	Antef III, Anjotef III, Inyotef III	2016–2009
5	Mentuhotep II	Montuhotep II	2009–1959
6	Mentuhotep III	Montuhotep III	1958–1947
7	Mentuhotep IV	Montuhotep IV	1947–1940

Dynasty XII

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Amenemhat I	Amenemhet I	1939–1910
2	Senusret I	Senusret I, Senwosret I	1920–1875
3	Amenemhat II	Amenemhet II	1878–1843
4	Senusret II	Senusret II, Senwosret II	1845–1837
5	Senusret III	Senusret III, Senwosret III, Sesostris	1837–1819
6	Amenemhat III	Amenemhet III	1818–1773
7	Amenemhat IV	Amenemhet IV	1772–1764
8	Neferusobek	Sobekneferu	1763–1760

Dynasty XIII

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Sobekhotep I	Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep	1803–1800
2	Sonbef	Sekhemkare Amenemhat Sonbef	1800–1796
3	Nerikara	Nerikare	1796
4	Sekhemkara Amenemhat	Amenemhat V	1796–1793
5	Ameny Qemau		1793–1791
6	Qemau Siharnedjheritef	Amenemhat VI	1791–1788
7	Iufni		1788
8	Sankhibra Amenemhat		1788–1785
9	Nebnun	Semenkare Nebnun, Nebennu	1785–1783
10	Sewesekhtawy Sehotepibra		1783–1781
11	Sewadjkara		1781
12	Nedjemibra		1780
13	Sobekhotep II	Khaankhre Sobekhotep, Sobekhotep I in older studies	1780–1777
14	Ranisonb		1777
15	Hor I		1777–1775
16	Sekhemra Khutawy		1775–1772
17	Djedkheperu		1772–1770
18	Sebkay		1770–1769
19	Sedjefakara Kay-Amenemhat	Amenemhat VII	1769–1766
20	Wegaf		1766–1764
21	Khendjer		1764–1759
22	Imyremeshaw	Smenkhkare Emramesha	1759
23	Intef IV	Intef V, Sehotepkare Intef
24	Meribra Seth		1749
25	Sobekhotep III	Sekhemre Sewadjtawy Sobkhotep	1749–1742
26	Neferhotep I	Khasekhemre Neferhotep	1742–1731
27	Sihathor	Menwadjre Sihathor, Sahathor	1733
28	Sobekhotep IV	Khaneferre Sobekhotep	1732–1720
29	Sobekhotep V	Merhotepre Sobekhotep, Sobekhotep VI in older studies	1720–1717
30	Sobekhotep VI	Khahotepre Sobekhotep, Sobekhotep V	1717–1712
31	Wahibra Jaib	Wahibre Iaib, Wahibre Ibiau	1712–1701
32	Aya	Merneferre Ay	1701–1677
33	Ini	Merhotepre	1677–1675
34	Sewadjtu	Sankhenre	1675–1672
35	Ined	Mersekhemre	1672–1669
36	Sewadjkara Hori		1669–1664
37	Sobekhotep VII	Merkaure Sobekhotep	1664–1662
46	Merkheperra	Merkheperre
47	Merkara	Merkare
49	Mentuhotep V	Sewadjare Mentuhotep, Mentuhotep VI
51	Ibi
52	Hor II
53	Se...kara	Sekare
54	Sankhptahi
?	Sekhaenra	Yakbim, Yakobmu
?	Maara Sobekhotep	Sobekhotep IX
?	Senebmiu

Dynasty XIV

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Yakbim		1805–1780
2	Yammu	Ya’amu, Jamu, Jaam, Nubwoserre Ya’ammu	1780–1770
3	Qareh		1770–1760
4	Aahotepra	Aahotepre	1760–1745
5	Sheshi	Sheshy	1745–1705
6	Nehesi	Nehesy, Nehsy	1705
7	Khakherura	Khakherure
8	Nebfaura	Nebfaure	1704
9	Sehabra	Sehabre
10	Merdjefara	Merdjefare	1694
11	Sewadjkara III	Sewadjkare III
12	Nebdjefara	Nebdjefare
13	Webenra	Webenre, Ubenre
15	..djefara
16	..webenra		1690
17	Awibra	Awibre, Auibra
18	Heribra	Heribre
19	Nebsenra	Nebsenre
22	Sekheperenra	Sekheperenre
23	Djedkherura	Djedkherewre
24	Sankhibra II	Seankibre, Sankhibre
25	Nefertum..ra	Kanefertemre
26	Sekhem..ra
27	Kakemura	Kakemure, Kakemetre
28	Neferibra	Neferibre
29	I..ra
30	Khakara	Khakare
31	Akara	Akare, Aakare
32	Hapu	Semenenra, Semenenre, Hepu
33	Anati	Djedkara
34	Babnum	Bebnem, Bebnum
43	Senefer..ra
44	Men..ra
45	Djed..ra
49	Inek..
50	A..	Ineb...
51	Ap..	Apophis
?	Wazad
?	Sheneh

Dynasty XV

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Salitis
2	Sakir-Har	Sakarher, Seker-Her	1621–
3	Khyan	Khian, Khayan	1621–1581
4	Apepi	Nebkhepeshre, Aqenenre, Aweserre, Apophis	1581–1541
5	Khamudy	Khamudi	1541–1540
?	Aperanat
?	Semqen
?	Apachnas
?	Sharek
?	Beon	Bnon

Dynasty XVI

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
2	Djehuty		1649–1648
3	Sobekhotep VIII	Sekhemre Seusertawy Sobekhotep	1645–1629
4	Neferhotep III		1629
5	Mentuhotepi	Sankhenre Mentuhotepi, Mentuhotep VII	1628–1627
6	Nebirau I	Nebiryraw I, Sewadjenre	1627–1601
7	Nebirau II	Nebiryraw II	1601
8	Semenenra		1601–1600
9	Bebiankh	Sewoserenre, Seuserenre	1600–1588
10	Sekhemra Shedwaset		1588
11	Dedumose I	Djedhotepre
12	Dedumose II	Djedneferre
13	Mentuemsaf	Djedankhre
14	Mentuhotep VI	Merankhre
15	Senusret IV	Seneferibre
?	Pepi III	Seneferankhre
?	Nebmaatra	Nebmaatre
?	Anetjerira
?	Meribra	Meribre
?	Nubankhra	Nubankhre
?	Nikara II

Dynasty XVII

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Rahotep	Rehotep	1580–1576
2	Sobekemsaf I		1576–1573
3	Sobekemsaf II
4	Intef V	Sekhemra-Wepmaat Intef
5	Intef VI	Nubkheperra Intef
6	Intef VII	Sekhemra Heruhirmaat Intef
7	Senakhtenra	Senakhtenre Tao in older texts	1559–1558
8	Seqenenra	Seqenenre Tao	1558–1554
9	Kamose	Kamesiu	1555–1550

Abydos Dynasty

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Senebkay
2	Wepwawetemsaf
3	Pantjeny
4	Snaaib

Dynasty XVIII

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Ahmose I	Amasis, Amosis	1550–1525
2	Amenhotep I	Amenophis I	1541–1520
3	Thutmose I	Tuthmosis I, Thutmosis I	1520–1492
4	Thutmose II	Tuthmosis II, Thutmosis II	1492–1479
5	Hatshepsut	Hatchepsut	1473–1458
6	Thutmose III	Tuthmosis III, Thutmosis III	1479–1425
7	Amenhotep II	Amenophis II	1425–1400
8	Thutmose IV	Tuthmosis IV, Thutmosis IV	1400–1390
9	Amenhotep III	Amenophis III	1390–1352
10	Amenhotep IV	Akhenaten, Akhenaton, Echnaton, Amenophis IV	1352–1334
11	Neferneferuaten	Nefertiti, Meritaten	1334–1332
12	Smenkhkara	Smenkhare, Smenkare	1332–
13	Tutankhamun	Tutankhamon, King Tut, Tutankhamen, Tutankhaton	1332–1323
14	Ay	Aja, Aya	1322–1320
15	Horemheb	Horemhab, Haremhab	1320–1292

Dynasty XIX

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Ramesses I	Ramses I	1292–1290
2	Seti I	Sethos I	1290–1279
3	Ramesses II	Rameses II, Ramses II	1279–1213
4	Merenptah	Merneptah	1213–1203
5	Seti II	Sethos II	1203–1200
6	Amenmesse	Amenmesses, Amenmose	1203–1197
7	Siptah	Merenptah Siptah	1197–1191
8	Tausret	Tawosret, Twosret	1191–1190

Dynasty XX

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Setnakht	Setnakhte	1190–1186
2	Ramesses III	Rameses III, Ramses III	1186–1155
3	Ramesses IV		1155–1149
4	Ramesses V		1149–1145
5	Ramesses VI		1145–1137
6	Ramesses VII		1137–1130
7	Ramesses VIII		1130–1129
8	Ramesses IX		1129–1111
9	Ramesses X		1111–1107
10	Ramesses XI		1107–1077

Dynasty XXI

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Smendes I		1077–1051
2	Amenemnesut	Amenemnisu	1051–1047
3	Psusennes I		1047–1001
4	Amenemope		1101–992
5	Osochor	Osorkon the Elder	992–986
6	Siamun		986–967
7	Psusennes II		967–943

Dynasty XXII

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Shoshenq I	Sheshonq I, Sheshonk I	943–922
2	Osorkon I		922–887
3	Shoshenq II	Sheshonq II, Sheshonk II
4	Shoshenq IIb	Sheshonq IIb, Sheshonk IIb
5	Takelot I		885–872
6	Osorkon II		872–837
7	Shoshenq III	Sheshonq III, Sheshonk III	837–798
8	Shoshenq IV		798–785
9	Pami		785–778
10	Shoshenq V	Sheshonq V, Sheshonk V	778–740
11	Pedubast II
12	Osorkon IV		740–720

Dynasty XXIII

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Takelot II		840–815
2	Pedubast I		829–804
3	Iuput I		829–804
4	Shoshenq VI	Previously known as Shoshenq IV	804–798
5	Osorkon III		798–769
6	Takelot III		774–759
7	Rudamun	Rudamon	759–755

Dynasty XXIV

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Tafnakht
2	Bakenrenef

Dynasty XXV

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Piye	Piankhi, Piankhy, Pije, Pianchy	752–721
2	Shabaka	Sabacon	721–707
3	Shebitko	Shebitku	707–690
4	Taharqa	Taharka, Taharqo	690–664
5	Tenutamen	Tantamani	664–656

Dynasty XXVI

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names
1	Necho I	Nekao I
2	Psamtik I	Psammetichus I
3	Necho II	Nekao II
4	Psamtik II	Psammetichus II
5	Apries	Hophra
6	Amasis	Ahmose II, Ahmose III
7	Psamtik III	Psammecherites, Psammetichus III

Dynasty XXVII

Persian satrapy

#	Pharaoh	Reign (BC)
1	Cambyses II	525–522
2	Darius I	522–486
3	Xerxes I	486–465
4	Artaxerxes I	465–424
5	Darius II	424–405
6	Artaxerxes II	405–404

Dynasty XXVIII

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Amyrtaeus		404–399

Dynasty XXIX

#	Pharaoh	Reign (BC)
1	Neferites I	398–393
2	Akoris	393–380
3	Psammuthis	393
4	Neferites II	380
5	Muthis

Dynasty XXX

#	Pharaoh	Reign (BC)
1	Nectanebo I	380–362
2	Djedhor Teos I	362–360
3	Nectanebo II	360–343

Dynasty XXXI

#	Pharaoh	Reign (BC)
1	Artaxerxes III	343–338
2	Arses	338–336
3	Darius III	336–332

Argead Dynasty

#	Pharaoh	Reign (BC)
1	Alexander the Great	332–323
2	Philip III Arrhidaeus	323–317
3	Alexander IV Aegus	317–309

Ptolemaic Dynasty

#	Pharaoh	Alternate names	Reign (BC)
1	Ptolemy I	Ptolemaios Soter	305–285
2	Ptolemy II	Ptolemaios Philadelphos	288–246
3	Ptolemy III	Ptolemaios Euergetes	246–222
4	Ptolemy IV	Ptolemaios Philopator	222–204
5	Ptolemy V	Ptolemaios Epiphanes	204–180
6	Ptolemy VI	Ptolemaios Philometor	180–145
7	Ptolemy VII	Ptolemaios Neos Philopator	145
8	Ptolemy VIII	Ptolemaios Euergetes Physcon	169–164, 144–132, 126–116
9	Ptolemy IX	Ptolemaios Soter Lathyrus	116–110, 109–107, 88–81
10	Ptolemy X	Ptolemaios Alexander	110–109, 107–88
11	Ptolemy XI	Ptolemaios Alexander II	80
12	Ptolemy XII	Ptolemaios Neos Dionysus Auletes	80–58
13	Ptolemy XIII	Ptolemaios Philopator II	51–47
14	Ptolemy XIV	Ptolemaios Philopator Philadelphus	47–44
15	Cleopatra VII	Kleopatra	51–30
16	Ptolemy XV	Ptolemaios Philopator Philometor Caesarion	44–30

Roman Emperors

#	Emperor	Latin names	Reign (CE)
1	Augustus	Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus	27 BC–14 CE
2	Tiberius	Tiberius Caesar Divi Augusti Fīlius Augustus	14–37
3	Caligula	Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus	37–41
4	Claudius	Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus	41–54
5	Nero	Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus	54–68
6	Galba	Servius Sulpicius Galba Caesar Augustus	68–69
7	Otho	Marcus Salvius Otho Caesar Augustus	69
8	Vespasianus	Vespsian, Titus Flavius Caesar Vespasianus Augustus	69–79
9	Titus	Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus Augustus	79–81
10	Domitianus	Domitian, Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus Augustus	81–96
11	Nerva	Marcus Cocceius Nerva Caesar Augustus	96–98
12	Trajanus	Trajan, Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Divi Nervae filius Augustus	98–117
13	Hadrianus	Hadrian, Publius Aelius Hadrianus Augustus	117–138
14	Antoninus Pius	Titus Fulvus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius	138–161
15	Marcus Aurelius	Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus	161–180
16	Lucius Verus	Lucius Aurelius Verus Augustus	161–169
17	Commodus	Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus	177–192
18	Septimius Severus	Lucius Septimius Severus Augustus	193–211
19	Caracalla	Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus	217–218
20	Geta	Publius Septimius Geta Augustus	217–218
21	Macrinus	Marcus Opellius Severus Macrinus Augustus	244–249
22	Diadumenianus	Diadumenian, Marcus Opellius Antoninus Diadumenianus	249–251
23	Philippus Arabs	Philip the Arab, Marcus Julius Philippus Augustus	253–260
24	Trajanus Decius	Decius, Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Augustus	276–282
25	Valerianus	Valerian, Publius Licinius Valerianus Augustus	284–305
26	Probus	Marcus Aurelius Probus Augustus	276–282
27	Diocletianus	Diocletian, Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus Augustus	284–305
28	Maximianus	Maximian, Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus Herculius Augustus	286–305
29	Galerius	Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus Augustus	305–311
30	Maximinus Daia	Maximinus II, Gaius Valerius Galerius Maximinus Daia Augustus	311–313

Unplaced pharaohs or kings

There are several pharaohs where their reigns and identities remain shrouded in mystery. Whether controversial or completely unknown, archaeologists and historians alike tries to unlock their secrets.

#	King	Also known as	Remarks
1	Anather	-	Contemporary with Dynasty XII?
2	Harsiese A	-	Ruled at Thebes during Dynasty XXIII
3	Ini II	-	Ruled at Thebes during Dynasty XXIII
4	Peftjauawybast	Peftjaubast	Governor(?) at Herakleopolis installed by Piye
5	Pedubast III	Petubastis IV	Revolted against the Persian Domination of Dynasty XXVII
6	Psamtik IV	Psammetichus IV	Probably rebelled against the Persian Domination
7	Inaros	Inarus, Inaros II	Rebelled against the Persian Domination

Disclaimer

For various reasons, the king lists above are incomplete, and will likely remain so. Most of the kings not included are very obscure, or very unlikely to have actually ruled over Egypt. I guess it all depends on where to draw the line.