ratu

Ratu is a term with multiple meanings in different cultures. In Fiji, ratu is a chiefly title used for male high-ranking leaders within the iTaukei social hierarchy. It is traditionally prefixed to the holder’s name as an honorific, signaling chiefly status and authority within a clan or province. The title is distinct from a surname and is earned or granted through customary practice and chieftainship structures. In everyday usage, female equivalents are signified by the title Adi before a married woman's given name. The importance and application of ratu continue to be recognized in contemporary Fiji, though actual political power varies with modern governance.

In Malay and Indonesian languages, ratu means queen and is used to denote female royalty or divinity. It appears in religious and literary contexts and can function as a descriptive noun as well as part of personal names. This usage is distinct from the Fijian title, and does not imply the same hereditary or political rank.

Outside Fiji, the word appears in personal names and cultural references due to its meaning of queenhood in Malay and Indonesian contexts. In public life, individuals may be named or styled with Ratu in various ways, reflecting its broader cultural resonance. Notable Fijian figures associated with the title include Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, a former president, and Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, a founding leader and statesman.