The 10 Oldest Known Names in the World - Oldest.org (2023)

The first legitimate writing systems did not emerge until around 3200 BCE. C., reason why most of the human history before that time has been lost. There are thousands of ancient people whose names or histories we will never know, but this list contains some of the earliest recorded names in the world. While many of these people were kings (and one queen), the oldest known person was an accountant, signing what were basically old receipts and inventory lists.

10. Yak Ehb Xook

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Outside of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia/Sumeria, one of the earliest mentions of a ruler in the west comes from the early period of the Maya civilization.Yah Ehb XookHe was the first ruler of the important and powerful city-state of Tikal. He ruled much of the surrounding plains region at the time and the city was named Yax Mutal in his honor.

Yax Ehb Xook's rule made Tikal politically, economically, and militarily dominant of much of the Maya region for centuries to come.

Did you know?

Yax Ehb Xook translates as "first step shark."

9. Anita

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anittahe was the first Hittite ruler to write a text in the Hittite language. His name appears on a dagger, as well as in the Anitta Text or Anittas Proclamations, the oldest known Indo-European text. Anitta detailed the rise of the Hittite state, as well as his own exploits.

The Anitta text was so important to the Hittites that it was copied many times and well preserved. The text is also a great example of archaic writing and grammar.

Did you know?

The Anitta text is the only known Hittite text that makes reference to the god Siu-summin ("our god" or "Our Sius").

8. Hor-a-ha

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Hor-a-hais another pharaoh of ancient Egypt whose exact identity is unknown. Hor-aha is believed by most scholars to have been the second ruler of the First Dynasty of Ancient Egypt and Narmer's successor and possibly his son. Others think that Hor-aha was actually Menes, which contradicts the theory that Narmer could also have been Menes.

Regardless of her true identity, Hor-aha was important, and her name appears on many artifacts. Hor-aha's tomb was also discovered, providing further evidence of its existence.

Did you know?

Hor-aha was the first ancient Egyptian pharaoh to bury members of the royal family in his tomb as the first known sacrifices in Egypt.

7. Neithhotep

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NeithhotepShe is the oldest named woman in history, who held a position of great importance in Ancient Egypt. She was either Narmer's queen consort or his successor to his Hor-aha. Although scholars are not sure who Neithhotep was married to, they do know that she was very important due to the enormous size of her tomb and the fact that her name was spelled royal serekh. In fact, researchers initially thought that Neithhotep was an unknown king because of his huge tomb.

Did you know?

Along with Queen Meritneith, Neithhotep is the only ancient Egyptian woman whose name is spelled with a serekh and whose tomb has its own worship enclosure.

6. Narrator

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storytellerHe was the successor of Ka or Scorpion II, the first pre-dynastic kings of Egypt. Considered the founder of the First Dynasty, Narmer is widely credited with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt to become the first true pharaoh of Ancient Egypt.

Narmer's name has been found on various artifacts, most notably on thecolor palette. The palette not only contains some of the earliest Egyptian hieroglyphics, but also clearly shows Narmer as a king.

Did you know?

Along with Queen Meritneith, Neithhotep is the only ancient Egyptian woman whose name is spelled with a serekh and whose tomb has its own worship enclosure.

5. Scorpio II

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Like all early Egyptian pharaohs, the details and exact identity ofScopion IIor the life of the Scorpion King are hotly contested. There are many conflicting theories about the identity of Scorpion II. Some scholars believe that Scorpion II was another name for Narmer, while others believe that he is the ruler who came after Ka and before Narmer.

There is another theory that suggests that Scorpion II was a rival ruler of the Ka and Narmer. Regardless of who he actually was, Scorpion II's name appears on numerous artifacts from the pre-dynastic period of Egypt.

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While there are numerous artifacts supporting the rule and existence of Scorpio II, the exact location of his burial is unknown, but there are two tombs, one at Umm el-Qa'ab (near Abydos) and the other at Hierakonpolis (Nekhen ), which are strong contenders. .

4. O

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oo Sekhen is another predynastic Egyptian pharaoh, who may have been the successor of Iry-Hor. Ka is believed to have reigned sometime during the first half of 32^{North Dakota}century BC. Ka would have ruled from Thinis, the first capital city of the early Egyptian kings, which has yet to be discovered.

Ka's tomb was first discovered in 1902, and various artifacts, including flint fragments and ceramic knives, have been found over the years, bearing Ka's name.

Did you know?

Ka was the first Egyptian ruler to wear a serekh, a box-shaped symbol that surrounds a name to indicate royalty.

3. Iry-Hor

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Iry-Horis the name of a mysterious pre-Dynamic pharaoh (he may have been the first true king of the region) whose existence has been questioned despite the excavation of his tomb. The reason for doubt about the meaning of Iry-Hor is that his name is written in archaic hieroglyphics without serekh. However, further excavations at Abydos and the discovery of another inscription of Iry-Hor's name in 2012 confirm that he did indeed exist.

Did you know?

Iry-Hor's tomb has dimensions similar to those of Ka and Narmer, two of the earliest confirmed Egyptian pharaohs, strongly supporting the belief that Iry-Hor was also a pharaoh.

2. Gal-Sal and the slaves

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Not much is publicly known about the Sumerian clay tablet containing three names:Gal-Sal and two slaves Enpap-x and Sukkalgir. Gal-Sal is generally only mentioned as a Kushim candidate by the oldest known name. The tablet with the names of Gal-Sal and his slaves comes from the same period as the Kushim and has the same pre-cuneiform script.

Did you know?

Researchers know that Gal-Sal was likely the owner of Enpap-x and Sukkalgir because their names are next to the symbols for male and female slaves.

1. Kushim

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While there is some debate as to who is the oldest person on record, for the most part, most researchers agree thatKushimIt is the world's oldest known name, dating to around 3400 to 3000 BCE.Surprisingly, Kushim was not a king or ruler, they were acontador. All the tablets with Kushim's name appear to be accounting records for various commodities, such as barley.

Did you know?

Kushim's name is mentioned on 18 tablets, and "Kushim" was initially believed by some researchers to be a title. However, it is now widely accepted that Kushim was an individual person.