The term "Ras" means a duke or prince in the Ethiopian Semitic languages; "Tafari Makonnen" was Selassie's personal name.30 The term "Rastafari" derives from "Ras Tafari Makonnen", the pre-regnal title of Haile Selassie, the former Ethiopian emperor who occupies a central role in Rasta belief. It is unknown why the early Rastas adopted this form of Haile Selassie's name as the basis of the term for their religion.31 - Wikipedia Sept 5 2025.