Turkish Boy Names

This is a list of boy names from Turkey along with their meanings. The modern Turkish name consists of both a given (or first) name and also a family name. Family names have, rather surprisingly, only gained a relatively recent widespread usage.

Turkish naming Traditions

Historically it was a tradition to name the children after their grandparents, and often this would be from Arabic origins. More recently however, many parents have left the old traditions to the side and give their babies modern and “unique” names. It was also a widely held tradition for a second name to be given to the child by grandparents. This would often be done when the infant’s cord was cut, hence it was named "Gobek adi" (literally, belly name).

Family names have been used in Turkey since the 1930s. Before this, the traditional practice was for wives and children to take their husband’s/father’s personal name as a last name. This is still used by many of the population of northern Cyprus

Origins of Turkish Names

You will see from this list of Turkish boy names that many of them have roots in Arabic. If you wish to consider these arabic boy names in greater detail you can follow the link or see menu at the top of the page.