The name Zgornje Negonje means 'upper Negonje', distinguishing the village from neighboring Spodnje Negonje (literally, 'lower Negonje'), which lies at an elevation about 210 meters (690 ft) lower. The name Negonje is probably a possessive form of the personal name *Negojinъ, elided from *Negojin'e (selo) 'Negojinъ's (village)', referring to an early inhabitant of the place.[3]