Hong Taiji (28 November 1592 – 21 September 1643; reigned 1626 – 1643), also transliterated as Huang Taiji based on the Chinese language transcription of his name, is the first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

Hong Taiji is responsible for consolidating the empire that his father, Nurhaci, had founded.

He lays the groundwork for the conquering of the Ming dynasty in China proper, although he dies before this is accomplished.

He is responsible for changing the name of his people from Jurchen to Manchu in 1635 as well as that of the dynasty from Later Jin to Qing in 1636.