Khufus

Khufus is the plural form of the given name Khufu, used to refer to individuals bearing that name. The most prominent bearer is Khufu, the second pharaoh of Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty, who reigned roughly from 2589 to 2566 BCE. In modern transliteration his name appears as Khufu, while Greek sources often render it as Cheops. The plural form Khufus can denote multiple people named Khufu, though in practice it most commonly points to the renowned pharaoh.

Khufu is best known for commissioning the Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest pyramid in the Giza complex, built as his tomb during the 26th century BCE. The pyramid is part of a larger mortuary complex that includes temples, causeways, and subsidiary structures. A full-size ship, the Khufu ship, was sealed in a corridor within the pyramid complex and later recovered, illustrating advanced royal construction and ship-building for its era.

Historical understanding of Khufu’s reign rests on architectural evidence from the pyramid complex and later inscriptions. Contemporary written records are scarce, and much of what is known about his personality and governance comes from interpretation of monumental projects rather than direct documentary sources. Modern archaeology generally views Khufu as a monumental builder whose legacy lies in architectural achievement and state organization, contributing to the development of pyramid construction within the Old Kingdom.

Beyond the pharaoh, the name Khufu appears in various modern contexts as a surname or in fiction. Consequently, Khufus as a term largely functions as a reference to Khufu and his monuments rather than to distinct, well-documented individuals.

See also: Khufu; Great Pyramid of Giza; Khufu ship; Cheops.