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The Plain English Dictionary
of Turkish First Names,
Personal Names, Given Names for Males

The Plain English Dictionary
of Turkish 'Personal Names' for Males
If you've got a specific Male 'Personal Name' that
you'd like us to research for you, please drop us a line at:
LPT's Turkish 'Personal Names' mailbox.
We'll make every effort to include it in the chart below.
CD Owners enjoy complete and direct links throughout the entire
Turkish Personal Names dictionary.
Site visitors may browse the Male Names page freely.
Turkish Male 'Given Name'
Plain English Meaning
Informational Tidbits
A   
Abad

 1. happy, merry
2. rich and prosperous
3. cultivated, developed		 
Abay

 1. intuition
2. understanding as comprehension or as intelligence or as perception or as sympathy 		 
Abbad

 One who acts justly in his servitude to God 
Abbas

 See the female name, Abbase.Found in modern idioms:
  • Abbas yolcuyum!
  • Abbas'ın kör kazı gibi atıştırıyor. He bolts his food down like Abbas's blind goose!
    The 'original' Abbas was the slightly-older uncle of the Prophet Mohammed (Muhammad).
    • Abdi

    		 Obedient 
    Abdullah

    		 God's servant/slaveThere are numerous Turkish-male names beginning with "Abd" that are variations on the theme of "God's servant/slave" -- from Abdi to Abdürrezzak.
    Ahmed/Ahmet
  • very praiseworthy, most laudable, gratefully commendable
  • one of the names used for the Prophet Muhammad.
    		• Found in idioms:
    Ahmet'in öküzü, bakar iki gözü.
    Alev

    Alev is also a female name.
  • a pure, bright flaming light -- produced by flammable material
  • a flame, a blaze
    		•  
    Ali

    (Arabic root)
  • lofty; eminent; exalted; sublime
  • great, august, exalted, peerless
    		•  
    ArslanLearn Practical Turkish Language color icon
    (Turkish root)
  • lion
  • powerful
  • young man; dashing young fellow, young buck, young blood
  • brave and manly young fellow
  • brave, stouthearted
    		• Also see Aslan, below.
    AslanLearn Practical Turkish Language color icon
    (Turkish root)
  • lion
  • predatory, predacious (animal)
  • bloodthirsty, murderous (person)
  • very truculent and quick-tempered.
    		• Also see Arslan, above.
    Aydın
    (Turkish root)
    Though the name Aydın is exclusively a male name in modern times, it was once a female name too. The daughter of Kılıçaslan (Kılıç Arslan) was named Aydın.
  • intellectual, enlightened person
  • well-informed, reflective
  • bright, well lit
  • moonlit night
  • open; evident, obvious
  • certain, definite
  • lucky, auspicious, blessed
  • (in expressions) joyous, happy (eg. Gözün/Gözünüz aydın! I'm happy for you!; Congratulations! -- said to sb whose beloved friend or relative has just arrived or to sb whose long-awaited wish has come true)
    		• In ancient history: There were three Selçuk princes born near Aydın (called Tralles under the Byzantines) in the middle of the 13th Century. They were the sons of Mehmet Bey, a Selçuk war admiral. When the Selçuk Empire began collapsing (after the Battle of Kösedağ in 1243), the three princes rose to prominence and overcame local Byzantine rule, to establish the Aydınoğulları Beyliği (Principality of the Sons of Aydın). At its peak, the Principality (which lasted about 100 years in all) encompassed the provinces of Aydın itself, Izmir, Ayasuğ, and Sard. The Principality was 'incorporated' into the Ottoman Empire by Sultan Mehmet I in 1413 (after the Interregnum).57
    Ayhan

    ...is also a female name.
    (Turkish root)
  • a dear friend
  • ruler of the moon
    		• A noteworthy Ayhan was the second of six sons to Oğuz Han, a 13 C. eastern Anatolian clan-leader. The name derived from one of three 'sky gods' that the Bozok peoples believed brought health to the Oğuz clan.
    AytaçLearn Practical Turkish Language color icon
    ...is also a female name.
    (Turkish root)    		 a moon-shaped crownAytaç Arman (Turkish Actor) who has appeared in almost 100 films, began his film career in 1971.
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as: Adnan, Aladdin, Alican, Alişan, Alparslan, Armağan, Aziz -- along with their plain-English meanings, etc. are available on CD.
    		  

    B   
    Babür

    		1. ruler, monarch, sovereign
    2. boasting, bragging    		A babür is a type of small tiger living in Turkmenistan.
    Babür (1483-1530) was the name of the Turk who founded the Great Moğol Empire in ancient India.
    Bağdaş

    		 1. friend
    2. a cross-legged seating position    		 
    Bahtiyar

    Bahtiyar is also a female name.
    (Persian root)
  • lucky
  • happy
    		•  
    Barış
    Barış is also a female name.
    (Turkish root)    		 peace Turkish Who's Who: Bariş Manço -- popular singer-songwriter-performer, who died too young
    BaşakLearn Practical Turkish Language color icon
    Başak is also a female name.
    (Turkish root)
  • barley wheat
  • oat-like, corn-like
  • ornamental plait of grain hung up to bring luck
  • gleanings - grain, fruit, etc. left over by reapers
  • ...is the name of one of the astrological signs (Başak = Virgo)
  • a spike
  • archaic the sharp point at the tip of an arrow, the arrow-head
    		• Also see burçlar for complete list of Osmanlı (Ottoman), Modern Turkish, and English astrological signs.
    Click to see sample Turkish astrological predictions...
    Bayram

    (Turkish root)
  • a joyful, happy day
  • a day for religious or general public celebration
    		•  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as: Baran, Bayhan, Baytekin, Beyazit, Bilge, Bilgi, Bilal, Bumin, Bülent -- along with their plain-English meanings, etc. are available on CD.
    		  
    C  
    Can


    (adult woman)


    (boy child)
    Can also be a female name.
  • (full of) soul
  • (full of) life
  • spirited
  • sincere, loveable
  • darling, dear
    		•  Found in proverbs:
  • Can boğazdan gelir.  (lit. Life enters by the gullet.) The Belly carries the legs. Bread is the staff of life. An army marches on its stomach.
  • Çıkmadık canda ümit var.  (lit. In the soul that has not departed, there is hope.) The is still hope for someone whose soul has not departed (his/her body).
    Found in idioms:
    See numerous examples beginning with: can atmak.
    In Ottoman history:
    the name of someone related to the Bektaşi dervish order
    • Cem

    (Persian root)    		 ruler, monarch, sovereignA famous namesake in Ottoman history was the ill-fated Cem Sultan.
    Cemil

    Also see the female counterpart name, Cemile.
    (Arabic root)
  • beautiful, handsome
  • kindly remembrance
    		• Turkish Who's Who: Cemil Çiçek -- Politician.
    Cengiz
    (Turkish root)
  • power, strength
  • sb who is dauntless, steadfast, unyielding
    		• See our LPT on CD for complete name-origin information...
    Ceyhun
  • Amu Darya -- a river in central and west Asia
  • According to the Tevrat, it's the name of one of the four rivers in heaven.
    • Turkish Who's Who:
    Ceyhun Yılmaz

    ...was Ece Görsel's favorite
    for a brief shining mo'...
     
    Cezmi
    (Arabic root)    		 Someone who quickly makes a definite decision; someone who settles (something) quickly and finally; decisive, determined, resolute; uniform, unvaryingFemale equivalent at: Cezmiye
    Cüneyd or Cüneyt
    (Arabic root)    		 little soldierİzmirlioğlu Cüneyt Bey (a sufi mystic) is said to have walked 30 times to Mecca on Hajj religious pilgrimage.
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as: Canpolat, Celal, Cemal, Cemalettin, Cenk, Cihangir, Coşkun, Cumhur, Cüneyt --
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  

    Ç  
    Çağdaş

    		 See the female name Çağdaş.  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    D  
    Derya
    More often a male name, Derya is also a female name.
    (Persian root)
  • A large sea, an Ocean
  • The High Seas, The Open Sea
  • Vastly well-informed
  • A lot, plenty
    		•  Turkish Who's Who:
    Derya Büyükunçu -- backstroke and butterfly swimmer (male) who competed in four consecutive Summer Olympics, beginning in 1992.
    In idioms:
    deryadil -- a well-spoken, fatherly, elder man
    derya gibi -- 1. very knowledgeable. 2. lots of, superabundant.
    In proverbs:
    Aşık bir deryadır, dalmayan bilmez -- Love is a vast sea, those who don't dive in never know it.
    Find more interesting background about 'Derya' on the female names page.
    Devlet
    ...is also a female name.
    (Arabic root)
  • a governed state
  • great happiness
  • riches
    		•  Turkish Who's Who:
    Devlet Bahçeli -- politician.
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as Deniz, Derin, Durmuş --
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    E  
    Elif See the female name, Elif. 
    Emin

    		 See the female counterpart name, Emine.In Ottoman history: When combined with şehir; city it formed the word şehremini; town mayor.
    Emre
  • lover, friend
  • big brother
    		• Turkish Who's Who:
  • Emre Altuğ -- Turkish pop singer
  • Emre Aşık -- Turkish footballer
    In Ottoman history: the name Emre meant beylerbeyi.
    • Erol
  • 'be a man'
  • young man; dashing young fellow, young buck, young blood
  • virtuous, morally upright
  • brave, courageous, stouthearted
    		• Turkish Who's Who: Erol Büyükburç -- ageing but still popular Turkish balladeer. Formerly a Rock, Pop, and Folk singer.
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as: Erdal, Erdoğan, Esen --
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    F   
    Fatih

  • conquering, controlling
  • someone who takes over a country
    		• Turkish Who's Who: Fatih Altaylı -- debunking TV commentator and journalist for Hürriyet Gazetesi, Turkey's most popular newspaper.
    Fikret


    [Mother's Voice]


    [Daughter's Voice]

    Fikret is also a female name.
    (Arabic root)
  • (full of) thought, thinking
  • (filled with) ideas, opinions, reflections, observations
  • one who plans for eventualities in advance
    		• A famous Turkish poet was Tevfik Fikret (1867-1915).
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    G  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    H  
    Hakan

    		 a title that was given to ancient Turkish and Moğol monarchs 
    Halil

    Also see the female counterpart name, Halile.
    (Arabic root)
  • sincere friend, close friend
  • soul mate
    		•  
    Hıncal

    		 (one who) takes revengeTurkish Who's Who: Hıncal Uluç -- at age 65, was besotted by a designing young woman (21-year-old Ece Görsel).
    Hilmi
    Also see the female counterpart name, Hilmiye.
    (Arabic root)
  • calm, tranquil, serene; still
  • well-bred, refined
  • pertaining to gentleness
    • Turkish Who's Who:
    Hilmi Özkök

    Military Chief
     
    Husrev
    Also Hüsrev
    (Persian root)
  • a great sultan
  • a monarch
  • The Sun [figurative meaning]
    		• Turkish Who's Who: Husrev Kutlu -- politician
    In Ottoman history: When Grand Vizier Husrev Paşa was dismissed (because of his failure to capture Baghdad in 1628 during the reign of Sultan Murat IV), he rebelled and obtained the "support of both the Janissary and Sipahi corps, which led to a whole series of military uprisings"26 -- that almost brought down the Sultanate.
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as:
    Habib, Habibullah, Hüseyin -- along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    I  
    Itri
    Also see the female counterpart name, Itır.
  • a beautiful smelling young man
  • ...was the name of a famous Ottoman Turkish composer, calligrapher, and poet
    		•  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as: Irmak, Işık -- along with their plain-English meanings, etc. are available on CD.
    		  
    İ   
    İbrahim

    (Hebrew root)
  • the father of the believers
  • father of fairness, who adheres to the principles of justice
    		•  
    İlhan

    		 a title, used by monarch's of the Moğul Empire (India, 16-17 C.)
    Turkish Who's Who:
    İlhan Şeşen

    "Hair's the thing..."
    (1987-2005)
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    J  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    K  
    Kayahan
    (Turkish root)
  • a powerful monarch
  • Also see meanings derived from Kaya.
    • Turkish Who's Who:
    Kayahan

    (1980-2005)
     
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as: Kaya, Kemal, Kıbrıs --
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    L  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    M  
    Mehmet

    (Arabic root)    		 Muhammad (Muhammed)

    		... is the Prophet's name as spoken and spelled in Turkish.
    In 2005, 'Mehmet' remains the most popular male name in Turkey.
    Turkish Who's Who:
    Mehmet Ali Erbil

    Peck's bad boy...
    (1980-2005)
    There's still more on our CD...
    Mihri See the female name entry. 
    Murat

    		 wish, desire, longing 
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as: Mustafa --
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    N  
    Necat
  • rescued, saved; escaped
  • (having to do with) giving birth
  • (having to do with)(a job that is) finished, completed
  • (having to do with something that has) slipped out (of), fallen out (of)
  • (having to do with an animal that gets) loose, breaks loose (from a restraining leash)
  • (having to do with) getting rid of (someone unpleasant); being rid of (something/someone unpleasant)
    		• Also see Necati, below.
    Necati
  • liberated
  • released
  • (having to do with) salvation
    		• Also see Necat, above.
    Is this 2006 anti-American movie (starring Necati Şaşmaza) a payback
    for the 1978 anti-Turkish film 'Midnight Express'?
    Click the movie poster
    to get the 'true gen'...

    Thanks to Valley of the Wolves
    Promo website at:
    www.valleyofthewolvesiraq.com
    Nevzad/Nevzat

    Also see the female name,
    Nevzad/Nevzat.
    (Persian root)    		 a new-born child 
    Nihat

    Also see the female name, Nihat.
    (Persian root)
  • (good) temperament
  • (good) nature, character
    		•  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as:
    Necmettin, Necmi --
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    O   
    Okan

    (Turkish root)
  • of God
  • comprehension, learning
  • understanding
    		•  
    Okay
  • liking, admiring, approving
  • Bravo! Well Done!
    		• Turkish Who's Who: Okay Gönensin -- newspaper columnist.
    Orhan
    (Turkish root)
  • ruler (overseer) of the city
  • the person who dominates or reigns supreme in a city
  • a high judge of a city
    		• In Ottoman history: The son of Osman Gazi. More even than his famous father, young Orhan (who was the second Ottoman Emperor and the first to be referred to as Sultan) brought the fledgling Ottoman Empire through its infancy until it reached a 'critical mass.'
    Turkish Who's Who:
    Orhan Pamuk

    O.P. drops a bomb...
    Osman
    (Turkish root)
  • a type of young, inexperienced bird -- larger in size than a young goose
  • a dragon
  • a large snake
    		• In Ottoman history: It was Osman Gazi who founded the Osmanlı İmparatorluğu (Ottoman Empire) circa 1281.
    Example: Osman helps you translate Turkish...
    Ö  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    P  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    R  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, such as:
    Ramazan, Recep -- are available on CD.
    		  
    S   
    Safiye
    Safiyeddin

    Also see
    female counterpart name.

    (Arabic root)    		 See female entry. The Safavid religious order was first founded in Azerbaijan by Şeyh Safiuddin [Sheikh Safiyeddin Erdebili] (d. 1334).
    Salih
    The female equivalent is Saliha.
    (Arabic root)
  • to be useful, be of use, come in handy
  • suitable, convenient, appropriate
  • s/b who is a (religious) believer, s/b who conforms to the dictates of religion, who obeys the commands and avoids the prohibitions of İslam
  • s/b who has a right to (something/a share).
  • s/b who is authorized, warranted.
  • s/b who is competent, who has sufficient knowledge/judgment/skill (in a particular field).
  • s/b who is justified (in his remarks or point of view).
    		• Turkish Actor Salih Güney has appeared in more than 120 movies, in a career that began in 1965.
    Salih Güney spots
    Ahu Tuğba in Zifaf
    Learn Practical Turkish Language color icon
    Click to
    Turkish Movies Catalog
    Sedat

    (Arabic root)
  • truth; uprightness, honesty
  • action which is not obligatory, but is meritorious; a good deed
  • intelligence; wisdom, discernment, discretion
    		•  
    Suat
    (Arabic root)    		 happy, happiness, or 'related to happiness'Suat is also a Turkish female name.
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as Saim, Süleyman --
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    Ş  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.    		   
    T   
    Tarık
    (Arabic root)
  • morning star
  • Zühre -- Venus or the first night of the new moon
    • Turkish Who's Who:
    Tarık Akan

    (1978-2005)
    In history: Tarık (Tariq ibn Ziyad) -- was the general who led the Muslim conquest of Spain. In May 711, he landed on Gibraltar with an army of 7,000 mercenaries and Gibraltar was thereafter known as Jabal Tariq (Mount Tarik), from which the modern form of the name is derived. Tariq soon advanced to the Spanish mainland itself, gaining valuable support from Spanish Jews who had been persecuted by the Visigoths -- and from Christian supporters. In July 711, he defeated the forces of the Visigothic usurper King Roderick. He then immediately marched on Toledo, the Spanish capital, and occupied it. He also conquered Cordoba. In 712, he joined forces with Musa ibn Nusayr (the Muslim conqueror of Morocco) -- and his army of 18,000. Together the two generals occupied more than two-thirds of the Iberian peninsula in the next few years. In 714, Musa and Tariq were summoned by the Caliph back to Damascus, where they were both accused of misappropriation of funds and died (c. 720) in obscurity.119
    Tarkan

    (husband)

    (wife)
    (Turkish root)
  • scattered; dispersed
  • disheveled; unkempt
  • untidy, messy (thing/person)
  • (sth) which is in a state of disarray
    		• ...was a title of respect for officials and viziers in Turkey's pre-Islamic age.
    Teoman

    (Turkish root)    		 The original Teoman was the father of Mete, an Emperor of the Huns in the year 220 BC. 
    Tolga
    		 War helmet; an iron head-piece worn into battle in Ottoman times.
    Turhan

    (Turkish root)    		 a distinguished person of noble birth 
    Additional Turkish Given-Names, such as: Tayyip, Tunç --
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    U  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.    		   
    Ü  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    V   
    Volkan

    		 volcano 
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    Y  
    Additional Turkish Given-Names,
    along with their plain-English meanings, etc.
    are available on CD.
    		  
    Z   
    Zeki

    (husband)

    (wife)
  • intelligent
  • sharp, clever, acute, quick-witted, bright
    		• Turkish Who's Who: Turkey's all-time favorite Türk Sanat Muzik performer was Zeki Müren -- who passed away in the late 1990's.

    Related Pages:
  • Introduction to Turkish Personal Names
  • Turkish Female Names
  • Turkish Personal Names, Baby Names, and Surnames
  • Baby Names, First Names, and Given Names -- an update
  • Profiles of the Turkish People
    • Other Related Pages:
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  • The Lying Eyes Club of Turkey
  • Turkish Culture -- Two Turkish traditions we especially like
  • Turkish Culture -- 4 things you shouldn't do in Turkey
  • Turkish Superstitions
  • Gossipy Turkish Who's Who
  • The Lying Eyes Club of Turkey
  • Turkish Culture -- 5 things you should do in Turkey
  • Turkish Circumcision Ceremonies

    • Also:
  • Whole Earth Catalog of Turkish Movies
  • Newsreaders Encyclopedic Dictionary, Index
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  • Mature Foreign Swedish Bride in Turkey
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    • Learn Turkish language, Online color bar

    Thanks to
    Metin Celal142 and Kemal Zeki Gençosman143 --
    to whom this page is heavily indebted...

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