Regnat populus
“The people rule.”
Motto of the U.S. state of Arkansas
What does “Regnat populus” mean?
Regnat populus translates as “The people rule.”
Power belongs to the citizens – a short statement of popular sovereignty.
“Regnat populus” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Regnat | rules, reigns | third person singular present indicative active of regno, “I rule, I reign”; the verb is singular to agree with populus |
| populus | the people | nominative singular masculine of populus, “people”; the subject of the sentence |
How to pronounce “Regnat populus”
Both pronunciations sound the same here, since neither word has a c or g before e or i, and no v or ae. Stress the first syllable of both words.
The story behind it
Word for word the motto says “rules the people”, in natural English “the people rule”. Populus is a singular noun meaning a whole people or nation, which is why the verb is singular too: a single body that rules.
The line is the state motto of Arkansas. An earlier form, “Regnant populi” (“the peoples rule”, with a plural verb and noun), was changed to “Regnat populus” in 1907.
The thought is one of popular sovereignty: power belongs to the citizens, not to a king or a ruling class. In Latin, regno is a word usually linked with kings (rex, regis), so the phrase turns the language of monarchy around and gives the crown to the people.
How to use “Regnat populus”
It suits a civics or history essay, a speech about democracy or citizenship, a political or community banner, or a tattoo for someone who cares about self-government. It also works as a short motto for a club or movement that wants to put members first.
- Latin
- Regnat populus
- English
- The people rule.
- Source
- Motto of the U.S. state of Arkansas
- Era
- Modern
- Theme
- Freedom
Common mistakes
- The verb is singular. Writing “Regnant populus” mixes a plural verb with a singular subject and is wrong. “Regnant populi” is the older, fully plural form.
- Regnat populus is not an ancient Roman saying. It is a modern motto, in use as an official state motto since 1907, so do not credit it to Cicero or any classical author.
- Populus means “people” in the sense of a nation or citizen body, not “a person” or “people” as separate individuals; do not use it to mean one individual.
- Word order is flexible in Latin. “Populus regnat” says the same thing, but the Arkansas motto is written “Regnat populus”.
Questions about “Regnat populus”
What does “Regnat populus” mean literally?
“Rules the people”, which in natural English reads as “the people rule”. Regnat is “rules” or “reigns” and populus is “the people”, the subject.
Who said “Regnat populus”?
No ancient author is credited with it. It is the motto of the U.S. state of Arkansas, and the present wording dates from 1907, when it replaced “Regnant populi”.
How do you pronounce “Regnat populus”?
In Classical Latin it is REG-naht POP-oo-loos. The Church pronunciation sounds the same here. Stress the first syllable of each word.
Is “Regnat populus” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes. The verb is third person singular and agrees with the singular noun populus. If you want the plural form, the older “Regnant populi” is also correct Latin.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
One Latin line. Every Monday.
A quote, its translation and the story behind it, free in your inbox.