Tepeu is a word of the K'iche' Maya language meaning "sovereign" (also "one who conquers" or "one who is victorious"). The title is associated with the god Gukumatz of the K'iche'-Maya, one of the creator gods of the Popol Vuh; his whole name translating as "Sovereign Plumed Serpent". The title has also been used by numerous K'iche' rulers such as Tepepul. The word originated from the Nahuatl Tepeuh.