Addis Ababa has always had the same name. It means "New Flower" in the African language of Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. The Empress Taitu, wife of Emperor Menilek II, who was away on a military campaign, founded Addis Ababa in 1886.

What does Ababa mean in English?

field poppy {noun} ababa (also: amapola, ababol) red poppy {noun}

What is Addis?

Addis Ababa, also spelled Addis Abeba, capital and largest city of Ethiopia. It is located on a well-watered plateau surrounded by hills and mountains in the geographic centre of the country. ... The city was thus founded in 1887 and was named Addis Ababa (“New Flower”) by the empress.