Ramses

Meaning of Ramses

Ramses traces its lineage to the storied banks of the Nile, arising from the Ancient Egyptian phrase “Ra-mesu”—literally “born of Ra”—and thus slipping a little sun-god stardust into the nursery without appearing overly theatrical. While modern ears may first think of the monumental Pharaoh Ramses II, whose statues glare down the millennia with enviable posture, the name has quietly traveled westward, lodging itself in English and Spanish vocabularies alike (RAM-seez in English, the brisker ram-SEHS in Spanish). In the United States it has hovered—much like a timeless obelisk—between the 600s and 800s in popularity since the 1970s, signaling a choice that is recognizable yet never commonplace. Parents who select Ramses often cite an appreciation for history, an affection for its regal cadence, or simply the dry amusement of bestowing a baby with a name that once signed peace treaties in cuneiform. Altogether, Ramses offers a dignified, sun-kissed alternative to the usual royal roster of Alexanders and Williams.