A Brief History of Name Necklaces- From Ancient Egypt to Modern Day

A Brief History of Name Necklaces- From Ancient Egypt to Modern Day

The name necklace—a timeless piece of jewelry that has been around since ancient times. Whether you're a minimalist, or you prefer a more statement-making style, the name necklace is a popular choice for many women and men alike. But where did this iconic piece originate? Let's explore the history of the name necklace and how it has evolved over time. 

Ancient Times 

The earliest evidence of name necklaces dates back to Ancient Egypt, where these pieces were crafted from gold and adorned with hieroglyphics. These necklaces were often inscribed with the names of gods and goddesses, as well as the names of people who were important to them. This was seen as a sign of respect and reverence for these deities, as well as an expression of recognition for those who had earned it. 

Renaissance Period  

During the Renaissance period in Europe, name necklaces became even more popular. They were crafted from precious metals like gold and silver, then set with precious stones such as diamonds and rubies. People would have their names inscribed on these necklaces in Latin letters or symbols, making them truly one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.                            

Modern Day  

Modern day name necklaces were first popularized by rappers from the south in the early 90s and 2000s. Rappers like Lil Wayne, Lil Kim,, Jay Z, Juvenile and T.I. were all known for wearing customized name necklaces with their rap names on them. This trend quickly spread throughout the rest of hip hop culture and before long it became a must-have accessory for any aspiring rapper or hip hop artist. 

The Notorious B.I.G., who was one of the biggest rappers of the 90s, is often credited with bringing name necklaces into mainstream culture. He was often seen wearing a large gold necklace with his stage name “Biggie” written across it in big bold letters, which inspired many other rappers to follow suit and make their own custom pieces as well. 

Cardi b wearing name necklace

Today

Name necklaces remain an essential part of hip hop fashion and they can be seen everywhere from MTV music videos to award shows and even on red carpets around the world. Some modern-day examples include Drake, who is seen wearing a gold chain with his middle name “Graham” engraved on it; Cardi B sporting a diamond-encrusted necklace with her rap moniker “Cardi”; Beyonce sporting “Beyonce” in several styles around her neck and Kanye West sporting a thick gold chain with his full legal name “Kanye Omari West” engraved onto it in big bold letters -a nod to his late mother Donda West's maiden name "Omari".  

From ancient Egypt to modern day fashion trends, the name necklace has made its mark throughout history—and it doesn't appear to be going anywhere anytime soon! Whether you’re looking for something classic like the script name necklace or something more of a statement piece and unique, like the double plated name necklace; there’s sure to be a perfect design out there for everyone who desires one! So why not get your very own personalized piece today? After all - what better way to show off your individuality than with a beautiful piece of jewelry that proudly showcases your very own personal flair?

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