Anubis — Meaning, Origin & Everything to Know

Anubis means 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)' — an Egyptian name from Egyptian.

Anubis pairs an easy sound with real substance: in Egyptian it means 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)'. Many families warm to the sound of Anubis first, then find the meaning of 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)' gives it staying power. Because it rests on Egyptian rather than passing fashion, Anubis carries a sense of history that many parents look for. Within the Egyptian world, Anubis sits in a tradition where names were chosen with care to carry meaning, faith or family identity rather than being picked at random. As a son's name, Anubis suggests devotion, trust and spiritual depth and travels comfortably across languages. Read on for Anubis's full story: where it comes from, how it has been used, what it's thought to say about character, and how to pair it.

Quick facts about the name Anubis
NameAnubis
MeaningAt its core, Anubis carries the meaning 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)', rooted in Egyptian
OriginEgyptian
LanguageEgyptian
GenderBoy
Numerology number3
PronunciationA-nu-bis
Popularity tierTier 3

What Does the Name Anubis Mean?

At its core, Anubis carries the meaning 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)', rooted in Egyptian.

Anubis grew up inside the Egyptian tradition, where a name was meant to carry blessing and identity, not just sound. As it travelled, Anubis kept its 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)' sense intact, handed down to honour relatives and express a hope for the child.

Today Anubis reads as approachable and contemporary, even though its meaning of 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)' is anything but new. That mix of everyday wearability and real meaning is a large part of why Anubis found favour around the 2010s.

The imagery around Anubis is one of devotion, trust and spiritual depth, deepened by the Egyptian tradition behind it.

Origin & Etymology of Anubis

Egyptian · Egyptian

Anubis comes from Egyptian, where it means 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)'. In the Egyptian tradition names were chosen with care to carry meaning, faith or family identity rather than being picked at random, and Anubis fits squarely into that pattern. Anubis spread outward with migration, recognised now well beyond its Egyptian origin and worn across very different cultures. Rather than a single headline bearer, Anubis owes its survival to generation-after-generation use. Today Anubis sits where heritage meets everyday wearability — the balance many modern parents are chasing.

Within Egyptian culture, Anubis connects to enduring values through its idea of devotion, trust and spiritual depth. As Anubis spread internationally it was received warmly and adopted by families well beyond its origin — a sign of a name that crosses cultural lines gracefully. Regional forms of Anubis exist, yet 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)' usually stays intact across them. Anubis lets families abroad keep a link to their roots without choosing something hard to wear day to day.

How to Pronounce Anubis

A-nu-bisA simple guide for Anubis is A-nu-bis. The stress usually falls on the first syllable, and the rest follows naturally.

Popularity of the Name Anubis

Anubis has stayed steadily popular, with its momentum centred on the 2010s. Anubis grew through word-of-mouth and steady choice rather than a fad, which tends to mean it sticks around. Popularity figures for Anubis here are based on historical naming-pattern data, updated periodically rather than in real time.

Personality Traits Associated with Anubis

Ask around and Anubis is usually described as devoted and soulful. Some of that comes from the meaning 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)', and some from the simple shape of the sound. Where names are tied to character, Anubis is read as a name of devotion, trust and spiritual depth. A name is only a starting impression, and Anubis's happens to be a kindly one — a quiet plus that frames the numerology and zodiac notes below.

Anubis Numerology

The name Anubis carries the numerology number 3.

The numerology number for Anubis is 3: the Communicator — creativity and optimism. Number 3 is traditionally said to colour how a person expresses themselves and what drives them. Set beside the meaning 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)', the 3 adds another layer for parents who weigh numerology when naming. For how the number 3 shapes Anubis's personality, strengths and life path, read the full guide to 3 at NumberAngel.

See the full meaning of number 3 on NumberAngel →

Anubis & Zodiac Connection

If you like to pair names with star signs, Anubis leans toward soulful Pisces and steadfast Scorpio. Plenty of families like to consider Anubis alongside their baby's actual zodiac sign. To weigh Anubis against your baby's real zodiac sign and compatibility, explore the sign profiles at GetMyHoro.

Curious what your baby's zodiac sign reveals? Explore GetMyHoro →

Names Similar to Anubis

Sibling Names That Go With Anubis

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Middle Names for Anubis

Anubis Alexander · Anubis Reed · Anubis Hugh · Anubis Michael · Anubis Ray · Anubis James

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Frequently Asked Questions

+What does the name Anubis mean?

Anubis means 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)'. It comes from Egyptian and is linked with devotion, trust and spiritual depth, which makes it a meaningful choice for a son.

+What is the origin of Anubis?

Anubis is Egyptian in origin, from Egyptian. In that tradition names were chosen with care to carry meaning, faith or family identity rather than being picked at random. It has since spread well beyond its roots while keeping the meaning 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)'.

+What is the numerology number for Anubis?

In Pythagorean numerology Anubis reduces to 3 — the Communicator — creativity and optimism. The full meaning of this number is explored at NumberAngel.

+Is Anubis a popular name?

Anubis has stayed steadily popular, with its strongest momentum in the 2010s.

+Is Anubis suitable for any gender?

Anubis is most often used as a boy's name, though naming is personal and the meaning 'royal child; (the god of the afterlife)' suits any child.

+What are good nicknames for Anubis?

Anubis is short and friendly as it stands, so it is often used in full — though affectionate forms naturally appear at home.

+What names pair well with Anubis for a sibling?

Names such as Horus, Osiris, Elijah sit well beside Anubis, sharing a complementary style. Our sibling name generator suggests more.