Tatar name
Encyclopedia
A Tatar personal name, being strongly influenced by Russian tradition
, consists of two main elements: isem (given name
) and familia (family name
), and also patronymic
. Given name was traditional for Tatars for centuries, family name appeared in the end of 19th century, when it replaced patronymic. In fact, usage of family name appeared when Russian scribers gave documents to Tatars. Later, being adapted to Soviet tradition, Tatars started to use patronymic as third element, especially in informal communication.
.
For Tatars living or born in Russia, every Tatar name has a transliteration in Russian language, due Tatarstan citizens use passports where their names are written in both official languages, Tatar and Russian. Russian version of Tatar name could significantly differ from original Tatar pronunciation, it also could be transliterated into different ways. So, English spelling depends on language from which text is translated. This situations isn't common for all non-Slavic peoples of Russia. Chuvashes and Keräşen Tatars, for example, use Russian (Orthodox Christian) names as official, but they also has their own renderings, that they use as informal.
Modern Tatar names could be divided into several groups by their origin: Turkic names, Oriental names, European names, "revolutionary" names, that appeared in the early Soviet Union
, but are still popular. The usage of Slavic or Christian name is uncommon.
Examples (most popular) are shown later. Cyrillic and various Russian variants of names are shown in brackets. Translation or some comments are given later.
Arab names were spread among nobility, but some of them also had Turkic names. Example is a gravestone of noble woman Altın Börtek (Golden Grift) that was found in Qaban settlement and dates back to 12th century. Often some person has two names. The real name was probably Islamic, but Turkic name was used to scare away spirits, that may plunge child into woe. Some of those Turkic names that are still in common use could mean that this child is strong and healthy. For example, name Mintimer could be translated as I'm iron. During the 19th century Turkic names were dislodged by Perso-Arab names. In 1920s during the repressions of religion Tatars returned to Turkic names (some of them were just now invented, such as Aygöl). In modern history the most popularity of Turkic names had fallen on 1980s-1990s.
), -din (religion), -abd (slave of the God), -can /spells: -jun/ (soul): Xäliulla, Islametdin, Sabircan. Also was popular different variants of the name Mohammad: Dinmöxämmäd, Möxämmätsafa, Möxämmätcan. Fermale names often were chosen from Mohammad wives' and daughters' names: Ğäyşä, Zäynäp, Fatíma. Other names mostly had complex suffixes -bibi, -bikä, -banu (lady, princess), -nisa (woman), -camal /spell jah-MUL/ (beauty): Bibiğäyşä, Ğäyşäbikä, Xabibcamal, Şamsinisa.
The main tendency was to name child with name that no one another has in neighborhood. One family also tended to name with consonance with other members of this family. Usually relatives had same endings of their names.
Both names are no longer popular among Tatars, but neighboring peoples sometimes refer them as "typically Tatar names".
. Sometimes names or surnames of revolutionaries were given as given name, such as Ernest after Ernst Thälmann
or Fidel after Fidel Castro Ruz. Some of them, such as Erot, Adolf, Klara and Roald are no longer popular, some another were adopted and non-Tatar population refer that names as Tatar names.
Urban legend
says that European names were loaded from group of Genoese merchants, which merged to Tatars in Middle Age.
After October Revolution lot of Russian revolutionary name appeared with the renovation of traditions. Originating from Russian abbreviations, they corresponded to Tatar phonetics well and became popular. Interestingly, that some of such names also coincided with already existed.
Those names are often given for children that were born in Tatar-Russian mixed marriage.
Names in Russian Empire, Soviet Union and CIS countries
The Eastern Slavic naming customs are the traditions for determining a person's name in countries influenced by East Slavic linguistic tradition. This relates to modern Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan...
, consists of two main elements: isem (given name
Given name
A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name...
) and familia (family name
Family name
A family name is a type of surname and part of a person's name indicating the family to which the person belongs. The use of family names is widespread in cultures around the world...
), and also patronymic
Patronymic
A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.In many areas patronyms...
. Given name was traditional for Tatars for centuries, family name appeared in the end of 19th century, when it replaced patronymic. In fact, usage of family name appeared when Russian scribers gave documents to Tatars. Later, being adapted to Soviet tradition, Tatars started to use patronymic as third element, especially in informal communication.
Given first name
As in Western cultures, a person has a first name chosen by his or her parents. The first name is used before the last name (surname) in most cases and is given so into the main European languages. For usage in other cases see: Names in Russian Empire, Soviet Union and CIS countriesNames in Russian Empire, Soviet Union and CIS countries
The Eastern Slavic naming customs are the traditions for determining a person's name in countries influenced by East Slavic linguistic tradition. This relates to modern Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan...
.
For Tatars living or born in Russia, every Tatar name has a transliteration in Russian language, due Tatarstan citizens use passports where their names are written in both official languages, Tatar and Russian. Russian version of Tatar name could significantly differ from original Tatar pronunciation, it also could be transliterated into different ways. So, English spelling depends on language from which text is translated. This situations isn't common for all non-Slavic peoples of Russia. Chuvashes and Keräşen Tatars, for example, use Russian (Orthodox Christian) names as official, but they also has their own renderings, that they use as informal.
Modern Tatar names could be divided into several groups by their origin: Turkic names, Oriental names, European names, "revolutionary" names, that appeared in the early Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, but are still popular. The usage of Slavic or Christian name is uncommon.
Examples (most popular) are shown later. Cyrillic and various Russian variants of names are shown in brackets. Translation or some comments are given later.
Turkic names
Turkic names are names that could be translated from Turkic languages. Sometimes Mongolian and the earliest Arabic and other loans also are described as Turkic. A significant part of those names were used since pre-history. After the islamization of Volga BulgariaVolga Bulgaria
Volga Bulgaria, or Volga–Kama Bolghar, is a historic Bulgar state that existed between the seventh and thirteenth centuries around the confluence of the Volga and Kama rivers in what is now Russia.-Origin:...
Arab names were spread among nobility, but some of them also had Turkic names. Example is a gravestone of noble woman Altın Börtek (Golden Grift) that was found in Qaban settlement and dates back to 12th century. Often some person has two names. The real name was probably Islamic, but Turkic name was used to scare away spirits, that may plunge child into woe. Some of those Turkic names that are still in common use could mean that this child is strong and healthy. For example, name Mintimer could be translated as I'm iron. During the 19th century Turkic names were dislodged by Perso-Arab names. In 1920s during the repressions of religion Tatars returned to Turkic names (some of them were just now invented, such as Aygöl). In modern history the most popularity of Turkic names had fallen on 1980s-1990s.
Male names
- Alim (Алим) - Wise
- Almas (Алмас), sometimes could be confused with Almaz, that has Arabic origin and means brilliant. Almas is a Tatar for it will not take (away). The same name had the first Muslim elteberElteberElteber was the client king of an autonomous but tributary tribe or polity in the hierarchy of the Turkic khaganates and Khazar Khaganate....
of Volga BulgariaVolga BulgariaVolga Bulgaria, or Volga–Kama Bolghar, is a historic Bulgar state that existed between the seventh and thirteenth centuries around the confluence of the Volga and Kama rivers in what is now Russia.-Origin:...
. - Arslan (Арслан) - Lion
- Aydar (Айдар) - Turkic word for osedalets
- Aynur (Айнур) – Moonlight beam. -nur is an Arabic loan.
- Ayrat (Айрат) – unclear. Probably from Arabic hayrat – astonishment of Mongolian for forest people
- Azat (Азат) – Free; this word is of Persian origin
- İldar (Илдар; Ильдар) – Ruler (has Persian ending)
- İldus (Илдус; Ильдус) – Friend of Motherland
- İlgiz (Илгиз; Ильгиз) - Traveller
- İlşat (Илшат; Ильшат) – Gladness of Motherland
- İrek (Ирек; Ирек, Ирик) – Free
- Timer (Тимер; Тимур) - Iron
Female names
- Alsu (Алсу) - Rose water
- Aygöl (Айгөл; Айгуль) – Moon Flower
- Aysılu (Айсылу) – Beauty as Moon
- Çulpan (Чулпан) – Turkic for VenusVenusVenus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...
. - Gölçäçäk (Гөлчәчәк; Гульчачак) – Flower (göl is a Persian, çäçäk is a Turkic for flower)
- Güzäl, Güzäliä (Гүзәл, Гүзәлия; Гузель, Гузалия) - Beauty
- Tañsılu (Таңсылу; Тансылу) – Beauty as Evening-red
Oriental names
Oriental names include names of Arab and Persian origin, and also Jewish and some Antique names in Arabian transcription. This name appeared in 10th century, but the peak of their popularity had fallen on the 19th century. Those names were often complex and mostly related to religious terms. Male names oftend ended with -ulla (AllahAllah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
), -din (religion), -abd (slave of the God), -can /spells: -jun/ (soul): Xäliulla, Islametdin, Sabircan. Also was popular different variants of the name Mohammad: Dinmöxämmäd, Möxämmätsafa, Möxämmätcan. Fermale names often were chosen from Mohammad wives' and daughters' names: Ğäyşä, Zäynäp, Fatíma. Other names mostly had complex suffixes -bibi, -bikä, -banu (lady, princess), -nisa (woman), -camal /spell jah-MUL/ (beauty): Bibiğäyşä, Ğäyşäbikä, Xabibcamal, Şamsinisa.
The main tendency was to name child with name that no one another has in neighborhood. One family also tended to name with consonance with other members of this family. Usually relatives had same endings of their names.
Male names
- Ğabdulla (Габдулла, Абдулла) – Tatar variant of AbdullahAbdullah-Places:*Abdullah Gan, mountainous region of Afghanistan*Abdullah Hukum LRT station, elevated rapid transit station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia*Kampung Haji Abdullah Hukum, was an urban village located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
- Äxmät (Әхмәт; Ахмет, Ахмед) – Tatar variant of AhmadAhmadAhmad or Ahmed are the principal transliterations of the Arabic given name, . The name comes from the Arabic triconsonantal root of Ḥ-M-D, meaning "highly praised", implying "one who constantly thanks God".-Etymology:...
Both names are no longer popular among Tatars, but neighboring peoples sometimes refer them as "typically Tatar names".
- Ämir (Әмир; Амир) – EmirEmirEmir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
, Arab - Färit (Фәрит; Фарид) – FaridFaridFarid also spelt Ferid or Fareed is an Arabic masculine personal name, meaning "unique". Farid is a common male name in the Middle East, the Balkans, South East Asia, and other places with large Muslim populations.People with this name include:...
, Arab - Ğädel (Гадел; Адель) – Arabian 'Adl, sometimes could be confused with Adelia of European origin, nevertheless this name is fermal
- Ğäskär (Гаскәр; Аскар) – Arab
- İlyas (Ильяс) – Jewish Elijah
- İskändär (Искәндәр; Искандер) – rendering of Alexander the Great
- Kamil (Камил; Камиль) – KamilKamilKamil is a Polish, Czech, and Slovak given name, equivalent to the Italian Camillo, Spanish Camilo and French Camille, deriving from Camillus, a Roman family name, which is sometimes claimed to mean "attendant at a religious service" in Latin, but may actually be of unknown Etruscan origin...
, Arab - Kärim (Кәрим; Карим) – KarimKarimKarim is a common given and surname of Arabic origin.-Given name:* Kareem Amer, Egyptian blogger* Kareem Kelly, Canadian footballer* Kareem Rush, American basketball player...
, Arab - Nail (Наил; Наиль) - Arab
- Radiq (Радик(ъ); Радик), Arab, sometimes could be written as Radiy, that corresponds to Russian for radiumRadiumRadium is a chemical element with atomic number 88, represented by the symbol Ra. Radium is an almost pure-white alkaline earth metal, but it readily oxidizes on exposure to air, becoming black in color. All isotopes of radium are highly radioactive, with the most stable isotope being radium-226,...
- Rail (Раил; Раиль), Arab
- Ramil (Рамил; Рамиль), Arab
- Räşit (Рәшит; Рашид) , Arab
- Rawil (Равил; Равиль), Arab
- Rişat (Ришат), probably Arabic rendering of Richard the Lionheart
- Röstäm / Rustam (Рөстәм; Рустам, Рустем), Persian (epical) hero; strong / powerful man
- Ruşan (Рушан), Persian
- Şamil (Шамил; Шамиль), Arab
- Tahir (Таһир; Тагир), Arab
- Zöfär (Зөфәр; Зуфар), Arab
Female names
- Älfiä (Әлфия; Альфия), Arab
- Asiä (Асия), Arab
- Dinara (Динара), Arab
- Färidä (Фәридә; Фарида), Arab
- Ğäliä, Äliä (Галия, Алия), Arab
- Gölnara (Гөлнара; Гульнара, Гюльнара, Гёльнара), Persian
- Gölnaz (Гөлназ; Гульназ), Persian
- Märyäm (Мәрьям; Марьям), Jewish Maria
- Miläwşä (Миләүшә; Миляуша), Persian for ViolaViolaThe viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
- Zöhrä (Зөһрә; Зухра), Arab
European and revolutionary names
After 1917, during de-islamization of Tatars many names, which were uncommon for Tatar culture, became popular. A major part of them were names of famous persons, so name Albert became popular after Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
. Sometimes names or surnames of revolutionaries were given as given name, such as Ernest after Ernst Thälmann
Ernst Thälmann
Ernst Thälmann was the leader of the Communist Party of Germany during much of the Weimar Republic. He was arrested by the Gestapo in 1933 and held in solitary confinement for eleven years, before being shot in Buchenwald on Adolf Hitler's orders in 1944...
or Fidel after Fidel Castro Ruz. Some of them, such as Erot, Adolf, Klara and Roald are no longer popular, some another were adopted and non-Tatar population refer that names as Tatar names.
Urban legend
Urban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
says that European names were loaded from group of Genoese merchants, which merged to Tatars in Middle Age.
After October Revolution lot of Russian revolutionary name appeared with the renovation of traditions. Originating from Russian abbreviations, they corresponded to Tatar phonetics well and became popular. Interestingly, that some of such names also coincided with already existed.
Those names are often given for children that were born in Tatar-Russian mixed marriage.
Male names
- Albert (Альберт)
- Alfred (Альфред)
- Artur (Артур)
- Edward, Eduard (Эдвард, Эдуард)
- Emil (Эмиль)
- Erik (Эрик)
- Ferdinand/Ferdinant (Фердинанд, Фердинант)
- Marsel (Марсель), became popular after Marcel CachinMarcel CachinMarcel Cachin was a French politician.In 1891, Cachin joined Jules Guesde French Workers' Party . In 1905, he joined the new French Section of the Workers' International and won election to the Chamber of Deputies representing the Seine in 1914...
- Rafael/Rafail (Рафаэль; Рафаил)
- Robert (Роберт)
- Rudolf (Рудольф)
- Damir (Дамир; Да здравствует мировая революция! – Long life world revolution!)
- Engel (Энгель) after Friedrich EngelsFriedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels was a German industrialist, social scientist, author, political theorist, philosopher, and father of Marxist theory, alongside Karl Marx. In 1845 he published The Condition of the Working Class in England, based on personal observations and research...
. - Lenar, Linar (Ленар – Ленинская Армия – Lenin's Army)
- Marat (Марат) after Jean-Paul MaratJean-Paul MaratJean-Paul Marat , born in the Principality of Neuchâtel, was a physician, political theorist, and scientist best known for his career in France as a radical journalist and politician during the French Revolution...
, also could be confused with Morat, Tatar analogy of MuradMuradMurad is a masculine Arabic given name, it may refer to:-Given name:* Murad , Indian character actor* Mourad the Great, the nickname of Hampartsoum Boyadjian, an Armenian fedayee and political activist...
. - Rinat, Renat (Ренат, Ринат – Революция, народ, труд. –Revolution. People. Labor), it coincided with Latin name.
- Vilen (Вилен) (after Vladimir Ilyich Lenin)
Female names
- Adelina (Adelä; Аделина, Аделя)
- Albinä (Альбина)
- Alinä (Алинә; Алина)
- Alisä (Алисә; Алиса)
- Dana (Дана), also has Persian origin
- Elina (Элина)
- Elvirä (Эльвира)
- Elza (Эльза)
- Kamilla (Камилла)
- Regina (Регина)
- Rezidä, Rezeda (Резидә, Резеда)
- Roza (Роза), popular after Rosa LuxemburgRosa LuxemburgRosa Luxemburg was a Marxist theorist, philosopher, economist and activist of Polish Jewish descent who became a naturalized German citizen...
- Yana (Яна) (originates from JeanJean (female given name)Jean is a common female given name in English-speaking countries. It is the Scottish form of Jane . It is sometimes spelt Jeaine...
) - Yuliä (Юлия) – Russian variant of Julia.
- Leniza (Лениза Ленинские заветы – Lenin's testaments), coincided with Arab name
- Renata (Рената: see Rinat)
Common non-Russian names
Some names were popular among the majority of non-Slavic population of USSR. Some of them were inspired by Russian culture, but they are not Russian traditional names. Sometimes this names were given for child, that born in intermarriage with another non-Russian nationality.Male
- Çıñğız (Чингиз) after Genghis KhanGenghis KhanGenghis Khan , born Temujin and occasionally known by his temple name Taizu , was the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death....
- Elbrus (Эльбрус) after mountain of Caucasus
- Kazbek (Казбек) after mountain of Caucasus
- RuslanRuslan (given name)Ruslan is a male given name which means "lion". It can also mean "great" or "huge". It is not used in language as word, but only as a name. The name used mainly in the Russian Federation by Russians, Russian Tatars, Ukrainians and others....
(Руслан), after Pushkin's personage of Ruslan and Lyudmila. Nevertheless, Ruslan may be a Russian rendering of Turkic name Arslan, although this has not been substantiated - Timur (Тимур) after Tamerlane and Arkady GaidarArkady GaidarArkady Petrovich Golikov Gaidar was born in the town of Lgov in Imperial Russia, now in Kursk Oblast, Russia, to a family of teachers. Gaidar spent his childhood in Arzamas. In August 1918, Gaidar became a member of the Bolsheviks, volunteering for the Red Army in December of that year, still aged...
's personage Timur.
Female
- Aida (Аида; after Verdi's opera)
- Indira (Индира; after Indira GandhiIndira GandhiIndira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
) - Lälä (Ляля) – Persian Lale – flower
- Liä (Лия)
- Liana (Лиана)
- Zemfira (Земфира) is said to be a Roma name.