Tupac Middle Name and Full Legal Name
Tupac Amaru Shakur is the full legal name of the rapper and actor known as Tupac or 2Pac. His middle name is Amaru, which comes from the Quechua word for "shining serpent" and references the historical Inca rebel Tupac Amaru. The name was chosen by his mother, Afeni Shakur, who was a member of the Black Panther Party and studied African and indigenous history. Tupac was born on June 16, 1971, in East Harlem, New York, and his birth certificate lists him as Lesane Parish Crooks before he was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur at age one. His legal name remained Tupac Amaru Shakur throughout his career and after his death on September 13, 1996. The name Tupac Amaru is widely used in biographies, documentaries, and official records, including entries on Biography.com.
The choice of Amaru as a middle name reflects the political and cultural influences on Afeni Shakur during the early 1970s. The name connects Tupac to a lineage of resistance and indigenous identity, which he later referenced in interviews and lyrics. Legal documents, including copyright filings and estate records, use the full name Tupac Amaru Shakur. The name is also used in academic and journalistic sources that cover his impact on music and culture. The estate, managed by his mother and later by his estate executors, continues to use the full legal name in business and licensing dealings.
Origin and Meaning of the Middle Name Amaru
Quechua and Inca Roots
The middle name Amaru originates from the Quechua language, spoken by the Inca Empire and still used across the Andes. In Quechua, Amaru means "shining serpent" and is associated with wisdom, rebellion, and transformation. The historical figure Tupac Amaru was the last Inca ruler who led a major uprising against Spanish colonizers in the 1780s. Afeni Shakur chose this name to honor indigenous resistance and to give her son a strong cultural identity. The name appears in academic works on Andean history and is cited in discussions of colonial resistance.
Symbolism in Tupac's Life and Work
Tupac referenced his name and indigenous roots in several songs and interviews, linking his personal story to broader themes of struggle and resilience. The name Amaru is often mentioned in biographies and analyses of his lyrics, where it symbolizes defiance and cultural pride. His use of the name helped popularize awareness of Quechua heritage and Inca history among global audiences. The symbolism of Amaru is also discussed in cultural studies that examine the intersection of music, identity, and politics. This connection is noted in profiles on AllMusic and in academic articles on hip-hop and cultural memory.
Legal Name, Estate, and Public Records
Name on Official Documents
Tupac's legal name, Tupac Amaru Shakur, appears on his birth certificate, Social Security records, and death certificate. Court filings related to his estate, including probate and copyright cases, use this full name. The name is also used in licensing agreements for music, film, and merchandise controlled by his estate. Public records and databases list him as Tupac Amaru Shakur, and this form is used by institutions that archive his work. The estate's official communications and legal filings consistently use the full legal name, as documented in filings referenced by