1. From Jamaican patois: The word "reggae" is derived from the Jamaican patois word "rege-rege", which means "ragged" or "irregular". This is often explained by linking it to the ragged appearance of the Rastafari, who were early supporters of the genre.
2. From the word "streggae": Another theory connects "reggae" to the word "streggae", which was used in Jamaica in the 1960s to mean a "rude boy" or a "rebel".
3. From the Spanish word "regué": Some argue that "reggae" comes from the Spanish word "regué", which means "the king's music" or "royal music". This may have been popularized due to the connection of the genre with the Rastafarian movement and their reverence for Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia.
4. A combination of influences: It is possible that the word "reggae" is a result of a combination of different influences, including Jamaican patois, Spanish, and African languages.
While the precise origin of the term remains uncertain, it became prominent in the 1960s and 1970s as the music associated with the Rastafarian movement gained international recognition.