Sobekhotep IV in hieroglyphs

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

Horus Ankh ib tawy  The Dual King Kha nefer Ra  Son of Ra Sobek hotep

Horus names

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

Horus name

Ankh ib tawy

Ꜥnḫ-ib-tꜢwi

The (very) life of the heart of the Two Lands

anx-ib:N17:N17

Legrain, Second rapport sur les travaux exécutés à Karnak, ASAE 4 (1903): 26
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 24:H1

Horus name variant

Ankh ib tawy

Ꜥnḫ-ib-tꜢwi

The (very) life of the heart of the Two Lands

anx-ib:Z1-N17:N17

Petrie, Abydos, I, plate LIX (1)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 24:H2

Nebty name

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

Nebty name

Wadj khau

wꜢḏ-ḫꜤw

Flourishing of appearances

wAD-xa:a-w-Y1:Z2

Legrain, Second rapport sur les travaux exécutés à Karnak, ASAE 4 (1903): 26
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 24:N

Golden Horus name

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

Golden Horus name

User bau

wsr-bꜤw

Rich in might

wsr-s-G30

Helck, Eine Stele Sebekhoteps IV. aus Karnak, Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Abteilung Kairo 24 (1969): 194ff
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 24: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 nefer Ra

ḫꜤi-nfr-rꜤ

The (very) appearance of the perfection of Ra

ra-xa-nfr

Karnak Canon no. 33
Louvre, statue A17
Mariette, Karnak, plate 8 n
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 24:T1

Throne name variant

Kha nefer Ra

ḫꜤi-nfr-rꜤ

The (very) appearance of the perfection of Ra

ra-xa:a-nfr

Legrain, Second rapport sur les travaux exécutés à Karnak, ASAE 4 (1903): 26
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 24:T2

Birth names

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

Birth name

Sobek hotep

sbk-ḥtp

Sobek is satisfied

sbk-Htp:t*p

Legrain, Second rapport sur les travaux exécutés à Karnak, ASAE 4 (1903): 26
Louvre statue A17
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 24:E1

Birth name variant

Sobek hotep

sbk-ḥtp

Sobek is satisfied

s-b-k-Htp:t*p

Mariette, Karnak, plate 8 n
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 96-97, 24:E2

Throne + Birth name

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

Throne + Birth name

Kha nefer Ra Sobek hotep

ḫꜤi-nfr-rꜤ

The (very) appearance of the perfection of Ra, Sobekhotep

ra-xa:a-nfr-I3-Htp:t-p

Bibliography

• Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 18 (1912): 31–38
• 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: 67–68
• Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 448–450