He is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time – but many Tupac fans have no idea what the icon’s name actually means. Tupac Amaru Shakur, born Lesane Parish Crooks, in Manhattan, is one of the best-selling music artists in the world, having sold more than 75 million records.
His lyrics addressed social injustice and political issues while staying true to gangsta rap. Alongside music, he also wrote poetry and starred in numerous movies. Some of his most popular songs include Changes, Ghetto Gospel, California Love, Until the End of Time, I Ain’t Mad at Cha, and Dear Mama.
When the rapper was just one-year-old, his political activist parents decided to rename him from Lesane Parish Crooks to Tupac Amaru Shakur. It prompted one fan to simply ask on Quora: “What did Tupac Shakur’s name mean?” According to his mum Afeni Shakur, his new name was meant to integrate him into a “world of culture”.
She reportedly said: “I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, Indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood.” To achieve this, she named him after Túpac Amaru II, a descendant of the last Incan ruler, who was executed in Peru in 1781 for revolting against Spanish rule. The name is said to mean ‘royal thing’, and ‘shining serpent’, while his surname, Shakur, translates to ‘thankful to god’.
(
Getty Images)
In 1996, when he was just 25-years-old, Tupac was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. However, it took 27 years for the shooter, Duane “Keefe D” Davis, to be arrested and indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder. A statement on 2Pac reads: “As Tupac’s life and legacy continues to impact, influence and transcend cultures throughout the world.
“In 2015, the GRAMMY Museum opened Tupac’s first museum exhibit, All Eyez on Me: The Writings of Tupac. In 2022, Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I’m Free, a fully immersive, thought-provoking museum experience that explored the life and legacy of the acclaimed artist and activist opened in Los Angeles, CA. In 2023, FX released Dear Mama: a multi-part docu-series on Tupac and his mother Afeni, garnering the “most watched” docuseries in the network’s history.”
Commenting on Tupac’s name, one social media user said: “Tupac Shakur’s name has significant meaning rooted in his heritage and cultural identity. His first name, “Tupac,” is derived from Tupac Amaru II, an 18th-century revolutionary leader in Peru who fought against Spanish oppression. The name itself is of Incan origin, meaning ‘royal’ or ‘shining serpent’.’
Another user added: “Tupac Shakur’s name has roots in the Incan Túpac Amaru, meaning “shining serpent.” The name signifies resilience and strength, fitting for the iconic rapper and activist. Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, chose the name to reflect her connection to her African and indigenous American heritage and her hopes for her son’s impact on the world.”
