Anubis
A boy's name of Egyptian origin with 262 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A taxonomic genus within the family Cerambycidae – certain longhorn beetles.
Anubis is a boy's baby name of Egyptian origin (via Greek), from the ancient Egyptian Anpu or Inpu, meaning 'royal child' or related to the word for 'to decay' — Anubis was the jackal-headed god of death, mummification, and the afterlife in Ancient Egyptian religion.
Anubis is one of the oldest and most recognized deities in world mythology — the guardian of the dead who weighed souls against the feather of Ma'at. Choosing Anubis as a name is a bold declaration of mythological sophistication. The god's role as protector of the dead and guide through the underworld gives the name a profound spiritual dimension that few names from any tradition can match.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Anubis belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At three syllables, it has a three-beat flow that carries a sense of formality and completeness.
Within the Egyptian naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Egyptian names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Anubis’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Anubis has 18+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2002.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 139 | #4047 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 78 | #8158 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 45 | #9496 | — |
The Story of Anubis
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Anubis is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Anubis are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Anubis?
Only about 1 in every 180,000 babies born in 2024 was named Anubis — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2002, peaked in the 2020s with 139 births that decade.
Anubis by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(18 years, 2002–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | #4881 |
| 2023 | 41 | #3006 |
| 2022 | 19 | #5032 |
| 2021 | 29 | #3741 |
| 2020 | 30 | #3573 |
| 2019 | 17 | #5353 |
| 2018 | 17 | #5333 |
| 2017 | 17 | #5304 |
| 2015 | 7 | #9640 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8178 |
| 2012 | 5 | #12397 |
| 2011 | 6 | #10898 |
| 2009 | 6 | #11091 |
| 2008 | 5 | #12675 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8220 |
| 2006 | 6 | #10760 |
| 2005 | 9 | #7666 |
| 2002 | 10 | #6562 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anubis a boy's or girl's name?
When was Anubis most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2002–2024