Neferhotep I in hieroglyphs

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

Horus Gereg tawy  The Dual King Kha sekhem Ra  Son of Ra Nefer hotep

Horus names

The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.

Horus name

Gereg tawy

grg-tꜢwi

The founder of the Two Lands

U17:N17:N17

Mariette, Abydos, II, plate 28
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 22:H1

Horus name variant

Gereg tawy

grg-tꜢwi

The founder of the Two Lands

g:r-U17:N17:N17

Mariette, Abydos, II, plate 28 (1)
Karnak statues, CK 453, CG 42022
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 22:H2

Nebty name

The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.

Nebty name

Wep Maat

wp-mꜢꜤt

The one who has inaugurated Maat

F13:p*Z9-U5:a-t:Y1-H6B

Mariette, Abydos, II, plate 28 (1)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 22:N

Golden Horus name

Horus perched on Gold, which was associated with eternity, but its meaning is disputed.

Golden Horus name

Men merut

mn-mrwt

Enduring of love

mn:n-U7:r-w&t

Mariette, Abydos, II, plate 28 (1)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 22:G

Throne names

Announced at the coronation and always written in a cartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known as the Prenomen.

Throne name

Kha sekhem Ra

ḫꜤi-sḫm-rꜤ

The (very) appearance of the power of Ra

ra-xa:a-Y8

Mariette, Abydos, II, plate 28
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 22:T

Throne name variant

Kha sekhem Ra

ḫꜤ-sḫm-rꜤ

The (very) appearance of the power of Ra

ra-xa-sxm

Karnak Canon no. 34
Lepsius, "Über die zwölfte Aegyptische Königsdynastie", APAW, 1852, 425, plate 1

Birth names

Personal name given at birth. Also known as the Nomen.

Birth name

Nefer hotep

nfr-ḥtp

The beautiful/perfect one is satisfied

nfr-Htp:t*p

Mariette, Abydos, II, plate 28
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 151h
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 22:E1

Birth name variant

Nefer hotep

nfr-ḥtp

The beautiful/perfect one is satisfied

nfr-Htp

Petrie, A season in Egypt 1887, plate XV (479)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 22:E2

Throne + Birth names

Combination of Throne- and Birth-name cartouches
probably only used for a special occasion.

Throne + Birth name

Kha sekhem Ra nefer hotep

ḫꜤi-sḫm-rꜤ nfr-ḥtp

–

ra-xa:a-//-sxm-nfr-Htp:t-p

Throne + Birth name variant

Kha sekhem Ra nefer hotep

ḫꜤ-sḫm-rꜤ nfr-ḥtp

–

ra:xa-Y8-nfr-Htp:t*p

Sehel island rock inscription

Bibliography

• Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 18 (1912): 22–30
• Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 96–97
• Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 67
• Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 252–254