Nu

Nu is a masculine name of Egyptian origin. In Egyptian mythology, Nu (also spelled Nun) is the god who personifies the primeval waters from which the earth was born. The name derives from the Egyptian nnw, meaning "primeval water" or "abyss."

According to ancient Egyptian creation myths, Nu was the chaotic, watery state that existed before the world was created. From these waters rose the first mound of earth, upon which the god Atum (or Ra) created all life. Nu was considered the father of the sun god Ra in some traditions, and was often depicted as a frog-headed or snake-headed deity. This concept of a primordial watery chaos is similar to the Babylonian goddess Tiamat in Mesopotamian mythology and the Greek concept of Chaos.

The name Nu has also been used in other contexts. In Chinese history, Nu is one of the 56 officially recognized ethnic groups in China, though this usage is unrelated to the Egyptian origin. Additionally, Nu can be an abbreviation for the biblical Book of Numbers in English religious contexts.

• Meaning: "Primeval water" or "abyss"
• Origin: Egyptian
• Category: Mythology name
• Usage: Egyptian (ancient)