negassi

Negassi is a personal name of Ethiopian origin that can function as a masculine given name and, in diaspora contexts, as a surname. The spelling Negassi is one common romanization, though variations may occur due to transliteration from Ethiopic scripts such as Amharic or Tigrinya.

Etymology and usage are not widely documented in general reference sources. Like many Ethiopian names, Negassi may carry a meaning related to attributes, lineage, or place names, but the exact interpretation can vary by language and family. The name is found among Ethiopian communities and among people of Ethiopian descent in various countries.

In the traditional Ethiopian naming system, individuals typically have a given name followed by the father’s given name, and there is not usually a hereditary surname. Consequently, Negassi may appear as part of a longer given-name–father-name sequence in Ethiopia. In international contexts or in official records outside Ethiopia, the name can be used as a stand-alone surname.

Variants arise primarily from transliteration differences rather than distinct linguistic roots. The name appears in public life among people of Ethiopian heritage across different fields, reflecting its continued use within communities.

See also: Negus, Ethiopian naming practices, Amharic and Tigrinya naming conventions.