Türkiye is rich in culture, with a fantastic art scene, a rich cultural lifestyle and a long history of traditions.
Türkiye has a naming custom in which each child is given one or two gender-specific names at birth.
Most Turkish male names are based on Muslim traditions and Turkish phrases. They are typically brief, regal and dramatic, with deep and beautiful meanings.
Are you looking for the best Turkish male names for your young one? We’ve compiled a list of Turkish male names with meanings for you to select from.
Popular Turkish Male Names
1. Abdullah
Abdullah, a religious Turkish male name, means “servant of God.”
Abdullah, pronounced ab-dool-LA, is the Turkish variant of the Arabic name Abd Allah. Being a good servant of Allah is extremely important in Islam, so Abdullah is very popular among Muslims. Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, Muhammad’s father, was a well-known carrier.
2. Adem
Adem is a biblical choice for Turkish male names, meaning “son of the red earth.”
Adem is the Turkish form of Adam, derived from the Hebrew word “adamah,” meaning “earth.” In the Old Testament, God created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by forming them from the earth.
Adem is popular in Turkey and Bosnia, with notable bearers including professional soccer player Adem Buyuk and actor Adem Cejvan.
3. Adlee
Adlee is a Turkish masculine name that translates as “just” or “fair.”
Another alternative interpretation is “he whom God judges.” While Adlee is a masculine name in Turkey, its American variation, Adley, is typically a girl’s name. Adlee may not be the best option if your son is Turkish-American.
4. Ahmet
Ahmet, a Turkish male name, means “highly praised.”
Ahmet, a Turkish version of the Arabic name Ahmad, is derived from the word “hameda,” which means “to thank or praise.”
In the Quran, Surah 61:6, Jesus claims to be a message from Allah and that a messenger named Ahmad (or Ahmet) will follow him. The majority believe that Ahmet is another name for Ahmad and Ahmet are prevalent across the Middle East. In the United States, Ahmad initially appeared on the charts in the 1970s and currently ranks #624 in 2020. However, Ahmet remains unknown, giving it a unique alternative.
5. Ali
The Arabic name Ali means “lofty” or “elevated.”
Ali was Prophet Muhammud’s cousin and loyal companion. Following Muhammud’s death, he was named the fourth caliph (AKA ruler) of the Islamic nation.
He is now a prominent religious figure in both Shia and Sunni Islam. His name is well-known all over the world, particularly in Turkey, where it ranks as the 11th most popular Turkish name for boys in 2020.
6. Alpaslan
Alpaslan, a Turkish male name, means “heroic lion.”
Alpaslan, often spelled Alparslan, is a common boy’s name in Turkey, ranking eighth overall. This heroic name is associated with the soccer players Eratli and Ozturk. So, if you want your boy to be as brave and athletic as a lion, this is a great option!
7. Altan
The Turkish name Altan means “red dawn.”
Altan, pronounced AHL-tahn, is a common first and last name in Turkey. While it is considered to signify “red dawn,” it is sometimes associated with the Turkic name Altin, which means “golden.” Altan means “golden” in Mongolian.
This striking name has seen limited use outside of its home country. We believe it has global potential, comparable to trendy “an” names such as Sebastian, Rowan, and Nolan.
8. Aras
Aras, a Kurdish, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu name, means “equal” or “balanced.”
The name derives from the Aras River, which runs across Turkey, Armenia, Iran, and Azerbaijan. In Armenia, the river is named for Arast, the great-grandson of Haik, the Armenian nation’s founder.
Aras is also an unrelated Lithuanian name that comes from the Old High German word “arn,” which means “eagle.”
Famous bearers include Azerbaijani-Russian businessman Aras Agalarov and American TV personality and Survivor champion Aras Baskauskas.
9. Asaf
The Hebrew name Asaf means “gather” or “harvest.”
Although Asaf did not originate in Turkey, it is quite popular in the country, with two-part names such as Omer Asaf, Ali Asaf and Emir Asaf ranking among the top 60 Turkish names for boys in 2020. Plain-old Asaf is less popular, ranking #78 that same year.
Asif is written in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu. It was the name of Solomon’s vizier, or top counselor, who was revered for his wisdom and caution in the Quran.
10. Aslan
Aslan is a popular choice among Turkish male names, meaning “lion.”
Aslan, often spelled Arsalan or Arslan, is a courageous name with regal origins. It was founded by Aslan-Bey Sharvashidze, the short-lived ruler of the Principality of Abkhazia and Aslan Alp, the second Sultan of the Seljuk Empire.
C.S. Lewis chose Aslan as the Biblical lion character in the classic book series Chronicles of Narnia, and it gained worldwide recognition. Aslan could be a distinctive option to more common similar-sounding names like Alan, Allan, or Arlan.
11. Ayaz
Ayaz, a Turkish male name, means “frosty.”
Ayaz is a great name for a winter baby because it comes from the Proto-Turkic word “anar,” which means “clear,” “sky,” or “frost.”
The Turkish “Frost Father,” known as Ayaz Ata, serves a role similar to Santa Claus. He and his sidekick, Kar Kiz, also known as the “Snow Girl,” provide New Year’s presents to youngsters.
12. Aybars
Aybars is a popular Turkish male name that means “there is the moon.”
Aybars is pronounced eye-BARS, and its actual origin is uncertain. It could be derived from “ay,” meaning “moon,” and the Proto-Turkic word “bar,” which means “there exists.” While Aybars is uncommon in the United States, it is a popular choice in Turkey, ranking #41 in 2020.
13. Aziz
Aziz is an Arabic and Hebrew name that means “strong” or “powerful.”
It is a popular first and last name in Semitic languages including Arabic, Hebrew, and Assyrian, as well as non-Semitic languages like Turkish, Kurdish, Persian, and Urdu.
In ancient times, Aziz was the Palmyran Arab god of the morning star, typically represented riding a camel alongside his twin brother Arsu.
Nobel Prize-winning chemist Aziz Sancar and novelist Aziz Nesin, who used the earnings from his novels to help needy children, are two examples of well-known Turkish names.
14. Balian
Balian, a Turkish male name, means “master, lord.”
Balian, pronounced BA-li-an, may be derived from the Turkish word “bal,” which means “master,” but its exact origins are uncertain.
The first bearer was a 12th-century crusader from Jerusalem named Balian of Ibelin. The alternative spelling is Barisan.
15. Baran
Baran is a Turkish, Persian, and Kurdish name that means “rain.”
It could be ideal for a baby born on a rainy day! In Persian, Baran is usually a girl’s name, although it is a boy’s in Turkish and Kurdish. In Polish, Russian, Slovak, and Hungarian, Baran is a nickname meaning “ram” that is commonly worn by strong men or shepherds.
A well-known namesake is Baran bo Odar, a German director of Turkish descent who developed the hit television series Dark.
16. Baris
“Baris” means “peaceful” in Turkish.
This lovely boy’s name is typically spelled with an s-cedilla, a letter that appears in several Turkic languages.
Baris was popular in Turkey in the 1970s and 1980s, with notable figures including film director Eyriboz, professional basketball player Hersek, and former rock artist Akarsu.
Baris remains a popular boys’ name in Turkey, ranking 83rd in 2020.
17. Batuhan
Batuhan is a Turkish male name that translates as “strong ruler.”
The name Batuhan is derived from Mongol monarch Batu Khan, who established the Golden Horde, a Mongolian kingdom that included Russia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.
In Mongolian, “batu” means “firm,” whereas in Turkish, “batu” means “prevailing” or “strong,” and “han” means “ruler.”
18. Cetin
Cetin is a Turkish name for males that means “hard, rough.”
Cetin is an old-school name in Turkey, where it has not been on the charts since the early 1980s.
The most notable bearers were born in the 1930s and 1940s, including Turkish popstar Cetin Alp and filmmaker Cetin Inanc, best known for his low-budget space film Dunyayi Kurtaran Adam, called the “Turkish Star Wars.”
19. Cinar
Cinar means “plane tree” in Turkish.
Cinar (pronounced chih-NAHR) is immensely popular in Turkey, ranking #19 in 2020. Traditionally, it’s spelled with the Turkish dotless “i.”
Cinar derives from the Persian word “chenar,” which means “plane tree.” Plane trees symbolize glory and power in Turkish culture, and they were planted in conquered lands to demonstrate their authority.
20. Sevket
Sevket is a prominent Turkish male name that translates as “dignity, power.”
21. Tanju
Tanju is a wonderful Turkish name for boys that means “Blessing from God.”
22. Tarkan
Tarkan is a wonderful Turkish male name that translates to “He who is bold and strong.”
23. Tad
Tad, the Turkish boy’s name, means “Gift given by God.”
FAQs
What are common Turkish names?
Mehmet is the most frequent Turkish male name, with an estimated 2,737,031 bearers in 2020. Other common names are Ahmet, Ali, Mustafa, and Huseyin.
Which is the most popular male name in Turkey?
Yusuf, Mirac, and Eymen were the most popular Turkish names for boys in 2020, ranking first, second, and third.
Other hot choices included Omer Asaf, Kerem, Alparslan, Mustafa, Hamza, and Ali Asaf.
