241 Turkish Baby Girl Names With Meanings

Exquisite names for your princess from the land of the magical crescent moon.

Written by shikha thakur,MBA•Aug 25, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Naming children holds immense historical and cultural significance in Turkey. Since various civilizations ruled the place in the ancient and medieval periods, they have left a lasting mark on how Turkish girl names have evolved. In this part of the world, naming customs have grown over time, showcasing the rich heritage and historical influences.

This land of Ottomans has a rich and wide-ranging naming tradition. It was first influenced by the Anatolians way back in the Bronze Age. Traditional girl names in Turkey have deep symbolism. They emphasize beauty, spirituality, and virtues. For example, a beautiful girl name Ayse implies 'she who is alive,' while Zeynep means 'precious.' Yet another exquisite girl's name Nazli means 'delicate.' These names have captured the imagination of most parents.

Turkish personal names usually have their origins in the Arabic language. This is followed by Turkish and Persian. Among females, foreign-origin names like Olga and Khaled, pastoral names like Yagmur, meaning rain, and Deniz meaning sea, and names inspired by fruits and plants like Filiz and Menekse are quite popular (1).

A distinct element of Turkish naming customs is the honorific titles, which highlight their good social standing and respect in Turkish society. For example, some common titles for girls are Hanim, which means lady, and Hanife (2).

Islam's presence in Turkey has always been consistent (3). So, it is common to find many Islamic-origin names for girls. Such names often symbolize the daughter of the prophet Muhammad, Fatima or Aisha, the prophet's wife. They bring to the fore the religious heritage of the land. Turkish girl names thus depict an amalgamation of historical and traditional influences inspired by various cultures and carrying profound meanings. Although modern naming trends are starting to take root here, traditional naming practice is still a big part of society.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Aagha	Boy	The word means Someone in control over something, Lord, chief
Aaghaa	Boy	The name aaghaa means Someone in control over something, Lord, chief
Abay	Boy	Being talented
Abi	Boy	(Hebrew) Father, (Turkish) Elder Brother, French (Priest)
Adalar	Boy	The island or the red island
Adlee	Boy	In Biblical it means One who is judged by God. In Turkic it means just or fair
Aergul	Girl	The bunch of blooming roses
Afet	Girl	Turkish - A woman of bewitching beauty; Attractive; Lovable
Afridi	Boy	The name of one of the tribes or clans.
Afshin	Boy	Name of an Iranian General; derived name from princely title of rulers of Osrusana

Agha	Boy	A noble person who is honoured for his effieciency, intelligence and great positive leadership qualities.
Agin	Boy	The meaning behind the name is not so appropriate to name someone as it means an illegitimate child or a name given to the lowest ranks of nobles.
Ahmet	Boy	One who is highly or greatly praised; To commend
Ahu	Girl	Bright and beautiful
Aimal	Boy	Desire, wish
Aiyla	Girl	Moonlight or moon halo, A beautiful girl who is strong a fighter and is so easy to fall in love with.
Ajdin	Boy	He who is bright, happy and lucky.
Ajnur	Boy	Moonlight, glow of the oon.
Akara	Unisex	Chief deity. One who love change and challenges, but take too many risks
Akasma	Girl	White climbing rose

Akay	Unisex	Near a full moon or illuminating light of full moon, full moon.
Alara	Girl	Mythological Aquatic Fairy; One who makes things beautiful; Water fairy
Alev	Girl	Turkish - Flame; Brightness; Light
Alibek	Boy	A combination of Ali and the Turkish title Bek meaning ruler, chief or lord
Alp	Boy	A brave hero known for his valour and sacrifice is a demanding name to take.
Altan	Boy	Mongolian - Golden; Turkic - Red Dawn; A variant of name Altin
Anarbek	Boy	Pomegranate master
Arystanbek	Boy	The name is derived from Kazakh word arystan, which means lion and Turkish title beg, which means master or chief
Asen	Boy	Name of a Bulgarian king.
Asker	Boy	Turkish word for soldier

Aslan	Boy	Lion
Asli	Girl	Someone who is genuine and real
Asuman	Boy	Turkish - Sky; Hindi - Lord of Vital Breaths
Asur	Boy	土耳其术语for Assyrians.
Ata	Boy	Arabic - Gift; Fante - One of Twins; Turkish - Ancestor, Predecessor
Ataa	Boy	Arabic - Gift; Fante - One of Twins; Turkish - Ancestor, Predecessor
Atil	Boy	Turkish - Big River
Ayaz	Boy	Cool night breeze; a royal breeze
Aydar	Boy	Topknot or forelock, referring to the hairstyle of ancient Turkic warriors
Aydin	Boy	开明的人

Ayla	Girl	Oak treea; Halo
Ayleen	Girl	Bright; Shining light
Aylin	Girl	Moon halo; The one that belongs to the moon
Aymelek	Girl	Moon angel
Ayperi	Girl	Moon fairy
Aysun	Girl	Turkish - A person whose face is as beautiful as moon; As Beautiful as the Moon
Ayten	Girl	Skin Shiny Like Moon; Friend of People
Azizbek	Boy	Powerful chief
Azra	Girl	The one who is a virgin
Azzat	Boy	Azzat is the Turkish form of the Arabic name Azzah, and means gazelle.

Bahadir	Boy	One who is brave and valiant
Baki	Boy	One who has a quick and analytical mind
Bakytbek	Boy	Happy chief
Balian	Boy	It mens Master or Lord. It was the name of a noble crusader in the kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century.
Banou	Girl	Female; Lady; Princess
Baris	Boy	Peaceful, calm, quite
Bata	Boy	Mate, friend, buddy
Bayar	Boy	A delightful person
Bechir	Boy	He who is discerning
Beg	Boy	A title of respect

Behrem	Boy	Mars planet
Beibut	Boy	Peaceful or peace
Bekarys	Boy	The name is derived from the Turkish title Beg meaning chieftain, master and Kazakh word Arys, meaning foundation, support, framework
Berkan	Boy	He who is of strong blood
Beyza	Girl	Turkish name meaning "white" or "pure"
Buqat	Boy	To be like a lightening bolt
Burak	Boy	To be strong and fast as a lightning bolt
Burcu	Girl	A sweet smelling woman
Cahil	Boy	A young and naive man
Can	Boy	One who is full of spirit, life and heart

Candana	Boy	A cadid, sincere person
Candanin	Boy	He is sincere and hones
Candon	Boy	A sincere and honest man
Caria	Girl	She who flows like a water
Cenk	Boy	The one who wins war
Cetin	Boy	The one who is strong, tough and hard
Ceyda	Girl	A beautiful woman
Ceyhun	Boy	A Central Asian river
Ceylan	Girl	An Antelope
Damla	Girl	A drop

Defne	Girl	A laurel tree; tall and majestic
Demir	Boy	One who is made of Iron
Deniz	Unisex	Sea of happiness
Dicle	Girl	A wonderful river; life providing
Doga	Girl	It means 'Nature'; they are in love with nature and God
Duman	Boy	Smoky; one who is very supportive and helpful
Ece	Girl	Popular person like a beautiful queen; attractive one
Ecrin	Girl	Reward, Gift of God
Ediz	Boy	Of high position; they have a lavish lifestyle
Edric	Boy	Wealthy ruler

Efe	Boy	Older brother; one who has massive strength and love
Eldar	Boy	One who is born to fight with fire
Elif	Girl	One with a slender body; original
Elnara	Girl	People, country, nation
Elvan	Girl	this name basically means colours.
Emel	Girl	it means desire.
Emin	Boy	it means someone who is trustworthy or confident.
Emine	Girl	it means one who is fearless and courageous.
Emir	Boy	a prince or a commander or a general of the army.
Emira	Girl	someone who is worhty or merit or a princess.

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Turkey has a rich and divine history that has flowed into its diverse and unique baby names. From the pureAzrato the specialZel, these names cover a wide range of meanings and convey divine and empowering messages. Some of the most commonly used names may be based on nature, while others describe characteristics like beauty and personality. With this list of Turkish girl names, you now have a beautiful collection of enchanting and spiritual names for your princess.

Infographic: Cute Turkish Baby Girl Names

Turkish baby girl names have a variety of influences from the times of the Anatolian and Ottoman empires. These multiple influences reflect in the baby names and combine to form beautiful names for your little one. If you want to explore some popular Turkish baby girl names, this infographic will guide you.

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the significance of baby names in Turkish culture?

In Turkish culture, the act of naming a child was a reflection of the family's values. In addition to bestowing an Islamic name upon the baby, it was common for families to name their child after an esteemed family elder. Furthermore, it was widely practiced to give the child a name that represented the local and ethnic cultures or a name associated with a revered person or place in society. Also, names indicating the time of the child's birth were prevalent (4).

2. Are any traditional or historical Turkish baby girl names still popular today?

Several traditional and historical Turkish baby girl names are still popular today. Some examples include Aergul, meaning 'a bunch of blooming roses,' Aylin, meaning 'moon halo,' Beyza, meaning 'white' or 'fair,' Eylül, representing 'September,' and Zeynep, meaning 'precious gem.' These names are unique, pretty, and have cultural significance in Turkey.

3. Are there any Turkish baby girl names that have religious or spiritual meanings?

Within Turkish baby girl names, there are meaningful options for those seeking religious or spiritual connections. Vesile signifies being 'close to God,' Sibeli represents a 'prophetess' or 'oracle,' Irmak indicates 'from the river,' symbolizing birth and life, Kadri denotes 'pure,' and Zeynep means 'precious gem' believed to possess healing properties.

4. What are some popular modern Turkish baby girl names?

Some popular modern Turkish baby girl names include Azra, which is a feminine version of the Arabic name Isra, meaning 'night journey,' Bahar, meaning 'season of spring,' and Gamze, meaning 'the dimple on the cheek when a person smiles.' These names are modern and cute and reflect Turkish and Arabic influences.

5. Do Turkish baby girl names have any gender-specific meanings or connotations?

Turkish baby girl names often have gender-specific meanings and feminine connotations. For example, Burcu means 'scent' or 'fragrance,' Cemre signifies the end of winter and means 'burning ember,' Damla means 'drop of water' or 'dewdrop,' Dilara means 'beloved,' and Işıl has various meanings such as 'ablaze,' 'sparkling,' 'brilliant,' and 'bright.'

6. What are some Turkish baby girl names inspired by nature or the environment?

There are several Turkish baby girl names inspired by nature or the environment. Bahar means 'the season of spring,' Basak translates to 'ear of wheat,' and Çağla represents 'flowing water, timeless or filled with life and energy.'

7. How do Turkish baby girl names vary by region or geographic location?

Turkish baby girl names differ across regions due to various factors. Eastern provinces commonly use names like Bayram, Bahar, Bulut, and Kurban, while Western provinces prefer 'modern' names like Aytun, Belda, and Kayla. Specific names associated with the East include Amed, Azad, Baran, Havin, and Helin. Religious families often have an imam read the baby's name to promote Islamic values and societal goodness.

8. Are there any traditional ceremonies or customs associated with naming a baby girl in Turkey?

In Turkey, the arrival of a newborn girl was joyously marked by diverse traditions and rituals. Following the birth, the baby was purified with salt, while customs like burying the umbilical cord and sharing sweets were observed. The naming ceremony included reciting the adhan [call to prayer] in the baby's ears and selecting a name encompassing family values, and embracing local or ethnic heritage (4).

References:

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