There is provided a metal hydride negative electrode having excellent discharge characteristics at the beginning of a charge and discharge cycle, excellent gas absorptivity during charge, and an excellent cycle life, and a method for producing the same without the need of any complicated producing processes. The metal hydride negative electrode (1) is used for a nickel hydride cell, and comprises a substrate (2) and a negative electrode plate (3) which is formed by applying a hydrogen absorbing alloy composition containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder, a conductive material, a binder and a dispersing agent on the substrate, wherein the negative electrode plate has a surface portion (4) which has a predetermined water repellent rate and a plurality of convex portions.