Sneferus

Sneferus is a proper name that appears in various contexts, primarily as a Latinized or Anglicized variant of the ancient Egyptian name Snfrw, most commonly associated with the pharaoh Sneferu of the Fourth Dynasty. In modern usage, Sneferus also appears as a fictional character name in novels, comics, and video games set in or inspired by ancient Egypt.

The best-known bearer of the related name is Sneferu, king of Egypt's Fourth Dynasty, reigning circa 2613–2589 BCE. He initiated pyramid building at Dahshur, including the Bent and Red Pyramids, and is credited with promoting centralized administration and state-building that supported later pharaohs. His name appears in inscriptions and later Greek and Latin sources in variants; Sneferus is among the Latinized spellings used by some scholars or in fiction.

The original Egyptian name is usually rendered Snfrw in transliteration. The form Sneferus reflects Latin or medieval transliteration conventions. The precise meaning is debated; it is typically related to personal naming formulas rather than a standalone modern gloss.

In modern scholarship and culture, Sneferus is rarely used as a stand-alone figure in academic contexts; instead Sneferu remains the canonical spelling. In popular media, Sneferus may be employed as a character name or as a historical reference to ancient Egypt, often without direct tie to a specific historical person.