Some names of Egyptian goddesses are beginning to be heard more and more, both in business and in the people themselves or in animals to whom we want to grant them a name with meaning and not so common.
That is why today we want to talk about 10 names of Egyptian goddesses and their meaning, but also about The story behind these goddesses so that we have all the information before choosing one name or another.
Names of Egyptian goddesses
Egyptian goddesses are figures fundamental in the mythology and religion of ancient Egypt, representing the different aspects of life, nature and the universe. They have served as inspiration to artists of all kinds: painters, musicians, writers, filmmakers… Today we are talking about the 10 most important goddesses.
Name, meaning and history
1 Isis
The name Isis comes from the Egyptian word "Aset" which means "throne". This throne is a symbol that the goddess herself usually wears on her head as a crown and as an identifying symbol. It is a symbol of her role as the mother of the pharaoh and her connection to royal power.
Isis is one of the most important goddesses in the Egyptian pantheon. goddess of motherhood, fertility and magic. According to mythology, Isis was the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus. Her story, as mythology has accustomed us to, is tragic: after the murder of her husband Osiris at the hands of her own brother Seth, Isis undertook an arduous journey to find the dismembered parts of Osiris in order to bring him back to life. Thanks to her magic and determination, she managed to resurrect him and then became pregnant when she conceived Horus.
2 Hathor
The name Hathor can be translated as «the house of Horus», which highlights her connection with royalty and fertility. To learn more about this goddess, you can consult the article on the goddess Hathor.
Hathor is the goddess of love, beauty, music and dance. She is often depicted as a cow or a woman with cow ears. She was considered the mother of the pharaohs and one of the most beloved goddesses of ancient Egypt. She was associated with joy and celebration, as her name was invoked in festivals and ceremonies. Furthermore, her relationship with beauty makes it an emblematic icon of Egyptian aesthetics.
3 Sekhmet
Sekhmet means «the powerful one» a reflection of her strength and authority. We are dealing with a warrior goddess.
This goddess is represented as a lioness, a goddess of war and healingShe is feared for her fierce and destructive nature, but was also revered for her ability to cure disease. In mythology, it is said that Sekhmet was sent by Ra to punish humanity and her bloodlust led her to nearly destroy humanity. To appease her, Ra made her drunk with red-dyed beer, transforming her into the benevolent goddess Hathor.
4 groove
The name "Nut" means «sky», «firmament», reflecting the power of the goddess who holds the world together.
Nut is the goddess of the sky and mother of the gods. She is represented as an arched woman (like a celestial vault) who covers the earth with her starry body. Nut is known for giving birth to the main gods of the Egyptian pantheon: Osiris, Isis, Seth, Nephthys and Horus. According to mythology, Nut was trapped between heaven and earth and each night she was swallowed by the sun and reborn at dawn. Her meaning is deeply connected to the symbolization of the universe.
5 Nephthys
Nephthys means "lady of the house", is a goddess connected with home and protection.
This goddess is the goddess of the night and the home, sister of Isis and wife of Seth. She represents duality and mystery, serving as a protective figure in embalming rituals. Although her role is less prominent than that of her sister, Nephthys is pivotal in the story of Osiris, where she assists Isis in her search for her husband.
6 Ma'at
The name "Ma'at" means "truth" or "justice", and this goddess has an important role in the morality and balance of the universe.
Ma'at is the goddess of truth, justice and cosmic order. She is often depicted with a feather on her head, a symbol of truth and her role in the weighing of the dead. When someone died in Egypt, it was said that they had to undergo various trials to reach the afterlife. One of these trials was weighing their own heart on a scale against the counterweight of a feather of Ma'at; if the heart was lighter, the soul could continue on its journey. This representation is related to the concept of egyptian religion and its moral structure.
7 Bastet
Perhaps one of the most well-known goddesses outside of Egypt is the lioness goddess (often confused with a black cat). Her name means "the one who is from the house" A name that reinforces her connection to home and family. To learn more about this goddess, check out this article on the goddess Bastet.
Bastet is the goddess of the home, fertility and protection. Originally depicted as a ferocious lioness, her image evolved into that of a domestic cat. Worshipped for her ability to protect homes and children, she was invoked to ensure family health and happiness.
8 Tefnut
Tefnut means «the one who spits» something related to rain. And this is goddess is that of humidity and rain. Along with her brother, Shu (the god of air), she is one of the primordial deities who emerged from the chaos at the creation of the world. She is known for her strong personality and is often depicted as a woman with the head of a lioness. Her role in creation is also linked to various mythological stories reflecting the duality of creation and chaos.
9 Seshat
The name Seshat means ""the one that carries the writing" reflecting its role in literature and knowledge.
Seshat is the goddess of writing, wisdom and architecture. She is considered the scribe of the gods and is responsible for recording important events and the actions of the pharaohs. She was also invoked in the construction of great temples and monuments, related to the egyptian architecture.
10 Serket
«The one who controls» and Serket has power over life and death.
Serket, also known as Selket, is the goddess of protection and healing, especially associated with scorpions. She was invoked to protect the dead and was often depicted on tombs. In mythology, Serket was a figure key in the process of embalming and protecting the body of the deceased.
