Exploration of Identity and Heritage through Kazakh Names: An Insight into Their Meaning and Significance
FRESH TAKE:
ASTANA - Names in Kazakhstan are deeply rooted in customs and tradition, often carrying profound significance. One fascinating aspect of Kazakh naming practices is the family member's power to select a child's name, a decision that can reflect wishes, values, or protective symbolism.
Credit: Aiman Nakispekova/The Astana Times
immerse yourself in the history of Kazakh names, discovering their origins that stem mainly from the Turkic language, yet also bearing influences from Arabic, Persian, Mongolian, Iranian, and Russian roots. For example, Tanirbergen, Kudaibergen, and Allabergen signify 'given by God,' but their roots trace back to Turkic, Iranian, and Arabic cultures, respectively.
Kazakh families believe a name holds power over a child's destiny, choosing names that embody virtues, strengths, or desired traits.
Gender-based naming traditions
Historically, girls' names reflected beauty, purity, or nature, such as Zhibek (silk), Raushan (rose), Kyzgaldak (tulip), Altyn (gold), Kumis (silver), Gaukhar (emerald), and Marzhan (pearl). Names like Kunsulu (beautiful as the sun), Aisulu (beautiful as the moon), and Sholpan (morning star) referred to celestial bodies.
Boys’ names symbolized power, strength, and resilience, drawing inspiration from animals such as Burkit (eagle), Kyran (falcon), and Kaskyrbai (brave as a wolf). Strong materials like Temir (iron) and Shoiynbai (steel) also inspired boy's names, while names like Kylyshbek (strong saber) and Naizabai (rich in stakes) celebrated weapons, symbolizing bravery and valor.
Ancestors, warriors, poets, and rulers were another source of inspiration for names. Yet, some families avoided naming children after great khans, generals, or batyrs, fearing that the weight of such a name was too heavy for the child to bear. In such cases, names like Tomiris might be shortened to Tommi as a more manageable homage to the legendary queen of the Saka people.
The potency of names
Kazakh names often hold symbolic meanings that connect to nature, events, or superstitions. For instance, a child born at the start of the month might be named Aibas (the beginning of the month), symbolizing leadership. A morning-born child could be called Tanatar (early morning), signifying a leader, while a sunrise baby might be named Kunshygar (sunrise), predicting a bright future.
Unique names were used as protection. If a family had experienced several child losses, they might name the next baby Toktar (let it stop), Tursyn (let it stay), Zhursin (let him go), or Olmes (immortal) to halt further mishaps. In families abundant with girls, sons might be named Ulbolsyn (may there be a son), Ulzhalgas (may the son continue), Ulzhan (the soul of a boy), or Ulbala (a girl like a boy). Premature babies were given names like Shalabek, Shalabai, or Zhartygul.
Kazakh naming practices are also shaped by geography, historical events, and religion. A child born during Ramadan or while fasting could be named Orazbek, Orazkul, or Ramazan. Babies born on a blessed day, such as Friday, might receive names like Zhumabai or Zhumakul.
A peek into the identities of The Astana Times team
Today, Kazakhs continue the tradition of blessing children with names that carry deep symbolic meaning. Many names persist close to nature, symbolizing freedom and strength, such as Kulan (wild deer). Others embody a family's history, aspirations, or spiritual beliefs.
Wondering what role their names play in defining the team at The Astana Times? Let's uncover their meaningful names and see if they reflect their true selves!
Aibarshyn Akhmetkali's name comes from the Turkic word 'aibar,' meaning brave. Legend has it that her mother dreamt of a lion or tiger just days before giving birth, inducting her with her brave name. As Aibarshyn grew older, she discovered another interpretation, learning that her name can also be divided into "ai," meaning moon, and "barshyn," an ancient Kazakh word no longer in common use. An ethnographer once explained that Barchyn could represent a female eagle or wolf, symbolizing power and strength. At first, Aibarshyn struggled to embrace her name, but as she matured, she began to recognize the bravery within her.
Dana Omirgazy's name signifies wisdom in both Kazakh and Persian, a quality she holds dear. Her sister selected the name, despite her grandparents having another preference in mind. Dana appreciates the international connotations of her name, like 'big pearl' in Arabic, 'God is my judge' in Hebrew, and 'God-given' in Slavic languages. She aspires to live up to her name by approaching life with care and thoughtfulness, relying on divine guidance in her decisions.
Assel's name derives from the Arabic word for honey or sweet, but it also carries other interpretations like twilight, evening, or gentle. In modern Kazakhstan, Assel has come to symbolize daisies, delicate flowers fraught with symbolism. Assel Satubaldina embraces the warmth and delicacy her name represents. Initially, she felt her name was overly popular, but as she grew older, she learned to appreciate its meaning and sought to embody its qualities in her everyday life.
In Ancient Kazakhstan, names were selected with great care, but they retain their significance today, affirming one's identity and lineage while shaping the future.
- The origins of many Kazakh names, such as Tanirbergen, Kudaibergen, and Allabergen, derive from the Turkic language, but they also bear influences from Arabic, Persian, Mongolian, Iranian, and Russian roots.
- Kazakh families believe a name holds power over a child's destiny, choosing names that embody virtues, strengths, or desired traits, such as Zhibek, Raushan, Kyzgaldak, Altyn, Kumis, Gaukhar, Marzhan, Kunsulu, Aisulu, Sholpan, Burkit, Kyran, Kaskyrbai, Temir, Shoiynbai, Kylyshbek, Naizabai, Tomiris, Tommi, Aibas, Tanatar, Kunshygar, Toktar, Tursyn, Zhursin, Olmes, Ulbolsyn, Ulzhalgas, Ulzhan, Ulbala, Shalabek, Shalabai, Zhartygul, Orazbek, Orazkul, Ramazan, Zhumabai, Zhumakul, and Kulan.
- Some Kazakh names hold symbolic meanings that connect to nature, events, or superstitions, like Aibas (the beginning of the month), Tanatar (early morning), Kunshygar (sunrise), Toktar (let it stop), Tursyn (let it stay), Zhursin (let him go), Olmes (immortal), Ulbolsyn (may there be a son), Ulzhalgas (may the son continue), Ulzhan (the soul of a boy), Ulbala (a girl like a boy), Shalabek, Shalabai, or Zhartygul.
- The selection of a name in Kazakhstan is often deeply rooted in customs and tradition, reflecting wishes, values, or protective symbolism, as well as being shaped by geography, historical events, and religion.
- Personal and career growth, education and self-development, fashion and beauty, and geographical and historical context can all play a role in how Kazakh children are named, as evidenced by names like Aibarshyn Akhmetkali, Dana Omirgazy, and Assel Satubaldina.
