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Turkish Names

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Nov 30 2023
  1. Ayla

    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "oak tree; halo, moonlight"

    • Description:

      Bright, fresh, and sunny, Ayla is a fashionable and exciting international choice for girls. Reminiscent of other trending names such as Layla, Isla, and Ava, Ayla has recently found its place in the Top 100.
  2. Alya

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "heavens, highborn, exalted"

    • Description:

      Alya is most familiar in the US in its much-more-complicated form Aaliyah, the spelling used by the later singer. The traditional name of the star system Theta Serpentis, Alya is also an established Muslim first name and a Turkish place-name. It may also be a Russian short form for Alexandra or any other Al- name.
  3. Aylin

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "of the moon"

    • Description:

      This Turkish name has some of today's most popular sounds - partly like Isla and Ayla with the well-loved -lin ending of Evelyn, Oaklynn, and Brooklynn. Used internationally, it's currently on trend in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, and Mexico too. It also ranks in the US and The Netherlands Top 500s, and in the the UK Top 1000. With its glowing meaning and contemporary sounds but established feel, Aylin could make a lovely choice.
  4. Emre

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "friend"

    • Description:

      This Turkish name meaning "friend" should be very useable outside Turkey, given that it is pronounced just as it is spelled. Famous men named Emre include Emre Can, a chess grandmaster, and Emre Sahin, the director.
  5. Zeki

    • Origin:

      Turkish; Ethiopian, Amharic

    • Meaning:

      "clever, intelligent; pure"

    • Description:

      This mini name is more spunky than Zack or Zeke, but shares those well-loved sounds. In Ethiopia, Zeki means "pure", and is pronounced "zeh-KEE", with emphasis on the second syllable. With the rise of trending Zakai and similar names into the US charts, Zeki has potential.
  6. Ahmet

    • Origin:

      Turkish variation of Ahmad

    • Meaning:

      "greatly praised"

    • Description:

      Ahmet is known outside its native land largely thanks to Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. The original crazy celebrity baby namer Frank Zappa named one of his sons Ahmet, after the influential music executive. Ahmad is a variation of Muhammad.
  7. Tamerlaine

    • Origin:

      Turkic, Mongol

    • Meaning:

      "iron"

    • Description:

      Although Tamerlaine, especially with the addition of an i, feels more feminine than masculine these days and is occasionally used for girls, the original Tamerlane was a fierce Mongol warrior.
  8. Attila

    • Origin:

      Hungarian

    • Meaning:

      "little father"

    • Description:

      English speaking countries may only associate this with the fifth-century Hun, but the name is still well-used in contemporary Hungary, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.
  9. Aydin

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "intelligent"

    • Description:

      While it looks like a creative respelling of the ubiquitous Aidan, Aydin has Turkish roots and means "intelligent." While there will most certainly be issues with spelling, those attracted to the Turkish lineage can be assured of a smooth path to assimilation due to the current popularity of soundalike names. The name is spelled with an ı (dotless i) in Turkish.
  10. Tulip

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Persian

    • Meaning:

      "turban"

    • Description:

      One of the most unusual flower names, Tulip is cute but tough to pull off as a first. It has some celebrity cred via Charlie Tamara Tulip, twin daughter of Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell. It derives from Persian dulband "turban", due to the distinctive shape of the flowers.
  11. Elif

    • Origin:

      Turkish and Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "first letter in the alphabet, slender"

    • Description:

      This is the Turkish form of Alif, the name of the first letter of the Arabic alphabet. Actor Natalie Portman gave another spelling to her son, Aleph. Elif can also mean "slender", from the Turkish phrase elif gibi, literally "shaped like Elif."
  12. Sema

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "sky"

    • Description:

      Sema may have hit its peak in its native Turkey in the 1980s, but this simple distinctive name is new in the English-speaking world. Arabic variation Sama ranks in the British Top 1000.
  13. Derya

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "sea"

    • Description:

      Derya is a unisex name in its native Turkey, though even there it is far more popular for women than for men. It is related to the Persian name Daria, which also means sea.
  14. Nuray

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "bright moon"

    • Description:

      Nuray is one of the most popular girls' names in the Middle East though it's largely unknown and unused in the Western World. The meaning, related to the more familiar Noor, adds appeal.
  15. Sofya

    • Origin:

      Russian and Armenian variation of Sophia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

      This spelling of Sophia is primarily used in Russia and Armenia.
  16. Yagmur

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "rain"

    • Description:

      A popular nature name in Turkey, where it was in the Top 10 from 2005-2013. Spelt Yağmur in Turkish.
  17. Fairuza

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "turquoise"

    • Description:

      Instead of the more obvious Aqua, Turquoise, or Blue, consider this offbeat Arabic name, brought into the American name pool by actress Fairuza Balk (named by her father for the color of her eyes). Since turquoise is the birthstone for December, Fairuza is one of the perfect names for December babies.
  18. Cemal

    • Description:

      Cemal is a masculine name of Arabic origin, commonly used in Turkey and throughout the Middle East. Pronounced 'je-MAL' in Turkish, the name means 'beauty' or 'perfection' and is the Turkish form of the Arabic name Jamal. Cemal has strong cultural significance in Turkey, with perhaps its most famous bearer being Cemal Pasha, an influential military leader during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. The name remains moderately popular in Turkey while being relatively uncommon in Western countries. Cemal carries positive connotations of physical and spiritual beauty in its original cultural context. The name's straightforward pronunciation in its native usage contrasts with potential pronunciation variations it might encounter in English-speaking environments. For parents with Turkish or Middle Eastern heritage, Cemal offers a connection to cultural roots with a meaningful etymology.

  19. Adem

    • Description:

      Adem is a masculine name with rich historical and cultural significance. It is the Turkish, Albanian, and Bosnian form of Adam, which comes from Hebrew origins meaning 'man' or 'earth.' In Islamic tradition, Adem refers to the first prophet and man created by God, equivalent to Adam in Judeo-Christian traditions. The name carries connotations of primordial humanity and connection to the earth. While common in Turkey, Bosnia, Albania, and other parts of the Balkans and Middle East, Adem is less frequently used in Western countries, giving it a distinctive quality. Its simple pronunciation and spelling make it accessible across cultures, while maintaining its strong cultural identity and religious significance.
  20. Vesa

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Albanian, "sapling, sprout; dew"

    • Meaning:

      "sapling, sprout; dew"

    • Description:

      A unisex nature name much more popular for boys in Finland, with a simple, strong sound. It is also used in Albania as a strictly feminine name, equally connected to nature.