Tupac is the usual English form of Tupaq, a name of Quechua origin meaning "royal, noble". The name was famously borne by a 15th-century Inca emperor, Tupaq Inka Yupanki (reigned 1471–1493), who expanded the Inca Empire to its greatest extent. After the Spanish conquest, it was also used by the Neo-Inca State rulers at Vilcabamba, notably Tupaq Amaru, the last sovereign Inca, executed by the Spanish in 1572. In the 18th century, a descendant named Tupaq Amaru II led a major indigenous rebellion against Spanish colonial rule in the Viceroyalty of Peru from 1780 and was similarly executed in 1781. Notable Bearer: Tupac Shakur The American rapper and actor Tupac Shakur (1971–1996) was named after Tupaq Amaru II, the 18th-century rebel. Born Lesane Parish Crooks in New York City, he was raised by his mother Afeni Shakur, a former Black Panther member. Known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, Shakur became one of the most influential recording artists of the 20th century, with over 75 million records sold worldwide. His music often addressed social injustice, political issues, and the marginalization of African Americans, while also being associated with gangsta rap and violent lyrics. His debut album 2Pacalypse Now (1991) established him as a central figure in West Coast hip-hop. Shakur was murdered in Las Vegas at the age of 25, heightening his legend as a cultural icon. Cultural Significance The name Tupac carries a dual legacy: on one hand, it evokes the pre-Columbian glory of the Inca Empire through the emperor Tupaq Inka Yupanki; on the other, it symbolizes resistance against colonial oppression through the executions of Tupaq Amaru I and Tupaq Amaru II. In modern times, the name is indelibly associated with the rapper Tupac Shakur, who elevated it to global fame and made it a lasting emblem in music and popular culture. Variant forms include the Quechua original Tupaq and the Spanish spelling Túpac. Key Facts Meaning: Royal, noble (Quechua) Origin: Quechua (South America) Type: First name Usage regions: primarily Perú; influenced by Incac history and the rapper Tupac Shakur Related forms: Túpac (Spanish), Mama Tupaq (which shows up as a variant in some sources)