Origin and Meaning of Negus

King or ruler

Origin: Amharic - Derived from the Ge'ez word 'nägus', which historically referred to a king or leader in the Ethiopian context.

• Negus is a title of royalty in Ethiopia, historically used before the establishment of the Imperial title 'Emperor'.
• In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the title has often been used for monarchs and is a significant part of Ethiopian culture and heritage.
• The name gained global recognition in the 20th century, notably through its incorporation into popular music, particularly in reggae.
• The popularity of the name as a given name has been limited but has seen increased interest in recent years as a result of cultural awareness.
• Related names or variations include 'Negest', which means ‘queen’ in Amharic, reflecting the complementary nature of royal titles.