Azerbaijani surnames and names, their meaning

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

Azerbaijani belongs to the group of Turkic languages. This also includes Turkish, Tatar, Kazakh, Bashkir, Uighur and many others. That is why many Azerbaijani surnames and names have eastern roots. In addition, Persian and Arab cultures, as well as Islam, had a significant influence on this people. Therefore, some common Azerbaijani surnames have been known since the times of Caucasian Albania. They are actively used to this day. Today, the anthroponymic model among Azerbaijanis, in fact, like many other peoples of the East, has three components: last name, first name and patronymic.

Names

Many Azerbaijani names and surnames have such ancient roots that it is sometimes very difficult to find their origins. Traditionally, many locals name their babies after their ancestors. At the same time, be sure to add: "Let it grow in accordance with the name." Women's names in this country are most often associated with the concepts of beauty, tenderness, kindness and sophistication. It is very popular to use "flower motifs": Lale, Yasemen, Nergiz, Reyhan, Gyzylgul and others. Sounds simple and beautiful.

In general, the prefix "gul" means "rose". Therefore, it is constantly used by Azerbaijanis. Indeed, by attaching this particle to almost any name, you can get something new, surprisingly beautiful and unusual. For example, Gulnisa, Gulshen, Naryngul, Sarygul, Gulperi and others. Male names emphasize courage, unbending will, determination, bravery and other character traits inherent in the stronger sex. Very popular among boys are such names as Rashid, Heydar, Bahadir.

How is a patronymic formed?

Just like Azerbaijani surnames and given names, patronymic names are formed differently here. This is their difference from Russian and other Slavic languages. In Azerbaijan, when determining the patronymic of a person, the name of his father does not change in any way. Prefixes like ours -ovich, -evich, -ovna, -evna do not exist. Rather, they exist, but they belong to the period of "Sovietization". And today they are used only in official business communication. Today, the government of Azerbaijan is trying to return the country to its historical roots. So - to the traditional names and patronymics. And rightly so.

Despite this, Azerbaijanis also have two forms of patronymics:

• oglu;
• kyzy.

The first means "son" and the second means "daughter". The name and patronymic of a person is thus made up of two names: one's own and one's father's. And the appropriate prefix is added at the end. For example,a woman may be called Zivar Mammad kyzy. This literally means that the girl is Mamed's daughter. Accordingly, a man may be called Heydar Suleiman oglu. It is clear that the guy is the son of Suleiman.

Surnames: principles of formation

After the arrival of Soviet power in these places, many residents also changed their surnames. Azerbaijani, whose meaning has been formed over the centuries, have been changed. Russian -ov or -ev was added to them. Until this moment, completely different endings were used here:

• -oglu;
• -li;
• -zade.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijani surnames began to revive again in the country: female and male. This is done very simply. The ending is simply cut off from the former "Soviet" version. Thus, the former Ibrahim Gubakhanov now sounds like Ibrahim Gubakhan. The names of Azerbaijani girls are also cut off: there was Kurbanova - she became Kurban.

Origin of surnames

Simply put, surnames for Azerbaijanis are a relatively recent phenomenon. In the old days, the anthroponymic format of this people consisted of only two parts. We are talking about a proper and paternal name with the addition of a particle “oglu”, “kyzy” or “zade”. This form was considered the norm here back in the 19th century. And in Iranian Azerbaijan it is often used today. They left the tradition here.

Oddly enough, Azerbaijani surnames began to form under the influence of Russian culture. Among ordinary people, they most often became nicknames thatsomething distinguishes a person from other people. Last name and first name could, for example, look like this:

• Uzun Abdullah - long Abdullah.
• Kechal Rashid - bald Rashid.
• Cholag Almas - lame Almas.
• Bilge Oktay - wise Oktay and others.

With the advent of Soviet power, Azerbaijani surnames (male and female) began to change. Moreover, both the name of the father, and the grandfather or other relatives could be taken as a basis. That is why today in Azerbaijan there are quite a lot of surnames reminiscent of old patronymics: Safaroglu, Almaszade, Kasumbeyli, Juvarli and the like. Other families were completely "Sovietized". Therefore, today you can meet the Aliyevs, Tagievs and Mammadovs in Azerbaijan on every corner.

Azerbaijani surnames: list of the most popular

If you do not take into account the difference in endings, then you can make a small list, only 15 positions. The list is rather small. Despite this, according to experts, these fifteen surnames account for about 80% of the country's inhabitants:

• Abbasov;
• Aliyev;
• Babaev;
• Veliyev;
• Gadzhiev;
• Gasanov;
• Guliyev;
• Guseinov;
• Ibragimov;
• Ismailov;
• Musaev;
• Orujov;
• Rasulov;
• Suleimanov;
• Mamedov.

Although for ease of reading they are all listed here in alphabetical order. But still, the most popular surname in Azerbaijan is Mammadov. It is worn by every fifth or sixth inhabitant of the country. This is not surprising.

Since Mamed is the folk form of Muhammad in Azerbaijani everyday life, it is clear that parents were happy to give their child the name of the beloved and revered prophet. It has become a kind of tradition. Naming the baby Mamed, they believed that they would give him a happy fate and a great destiny. In addition, it was believed that Allah would not leave without the mercy of his child, named after the prophet. When surnames began to appear in Azerbaijan, the Mammadovs were the most popular. After all, it was believed that the “kind name” would give happiness and prosperity to all future generations of one family.

Other common surnames in Azerbaijan

Of course, there are a lot of generic names in this eastern country. All of them are different and interesting. Here is another list that contains popular Azerbaijani surnames (alphabetical list):

• Abiev;
• Agalarov;
• Alekperov;
• Amirov;
• Askerov;
• Bakhramov;
• Vagifov;
• Gambarov;
• Jafarov;
• Kasumov;
• Kerimov;
• Mehdiyev;
• Safarov;
• Taliban;
• Khanlarov.

This is not a complete list, but only a small fraction of it. Of course, all Azerbaijani surnames, male and female, have their own meaning. Sometimes very interesting and beautiful. For example, the surname Alekperov is very popular here. It comes from the adaptive form of the Arabic name Aliakbar. It can be divided into two parts:

• Ali is great;
• Akbar - the oldest, greatest, greatest.

Thus, Alekperov is "the oldest (chief) of the greats." One way or another, but the basis of almost all Azerbaijani surnames are the names of ancestors. That is why the next part of this article is devoted to the analysis and description of their origin and meaning.

Name formation

This process in Azerbaijan can be divided into several stages. In ancient times, locals had at least three names in their entire lives. All of them could radically differ from each other. The first is childish. It was given to the child by the parents at birth. It served only to distinguish him from other children. The second is adolescent. It was given to a teenager by fellow villagers, depending on character traits, spiritual qualities or external features. The third name is the one that a person deserves in old age on his own, by his deeds, judgments, actions and his whole life.

During the rapid development and formation of Islam in this territory, people most often preferred religious names. Thus, they confirmed their allegiance to the Islamic movement. Mamed, Mamish, Ali, Omar, Fatma, Khadije and others became popular. Most of the names were still of Arabic origin. When communism came to these lands, loy alty to the ideals of the party and the dominant ideology began to be displayed. Names that could be easily pronounced and written to a Russian person became popular. And some, especially zealous parents, began to give their children completely strange ones: State Farm, Tractor and the like.

With the collapse of the Union and gaining independence, inthe formation of Azerbaijani names again comes a sharp turn. The idea and the semantic load associated with deep national roots are put in the first place. It is no secret that Azerbaijani surnames changed along with the names. Their pronunciation and writing either approached Arabic or completely Russified.

Features of the use of names

In the Azerbaijani language, names are most often pronounced not just like that, but with the addition of some additional word. Often it expresses a respectful or familiar attitude towards the opponent.

Here are some of them:

1. Mirzag. This prefix is used as a respectful address for scientists or just very smart and educated people. It sounds like "Mirzag Ali" or "Mirzag Isfandiyar". Today, the prefix has practically disappeared from circulation.
2. Yoldash. During the Union, the traditional "comrade" came into circulation. In Azerbaijani - yoldash. The prefix was also placed before the surname. It sounded like this: “yoldash Mehdiyev”, “yoldash Khanlarova”.
3. Kishi. This is a familiar, slightly familiar appeal. It is used in conversation by peers: Anvar kishi, Dilyaver kishi and so on.
4. Anvard. It means the same thing, only in relation to a woman: Nergiz avard, Lale avard.

There are a few more words-prefixes used with respect for young ladies:

• hanym - venerable;
• khanymgiz - respected girl (for young people);
• baji - sister;
• gelin - bride.

Exceptof the above, there are many more respectful prefixes formed from the degree of kinship. Moreover, when applying, it is not at all necessary that people are actually relatives. There are so many such prefixes that sometimes they become part of the name:

• Bibi is an aunt. Father's sister - Agabibi, Injibibi.
• Amy is an uncle. Father's brother - Balaemi.
• Daina is an uncle. Mother's brother - Agadain.
• Baba - grandfather: Ezimbaba, Shirbaba, Atababa.
• Bajikyzy - niece. Sister's daughter - Boyuk-baji, Shahbaji and others.

Colloquial features of male and female names

As in Russian, Azerbaijani names also have diminutive variants. They are formed by adding affixes:

• -u(-u);
• -s(-s);
• -ysh(-ish);
• -ush (-yush).

Thus, from the name of Kyubra you get Kubush, and Valida becomes Walish. Nadir's parents name is Nadysh, and Khudayar's name is Khudu. Some diminutive forms take root so much that they eventually transform into a separate name.

In colloquial speech, names formed by a simple abbreviation are often used:

• Suriya - Sura;
• Farida - Farah;
• Rafiga - Rafa;
• Aliya - Alya and so on.

There are names suitable for both men and women at the same time: Shirin, Izzet, Haver, Shovket. And some, depending on the gender of the person, form forms:

• Selim - Selim;
• Tofig - Tofiga;
• Farid - Farida;
• Kyamil - Kamil.

Quite often, Azerbaijanis, especially the older generation, have double names: Ali Heydar, Abbas Gulu, Aga Musa, Kurban Ali and the like.

Traditional Azerbaijani children's names

Here's a short list of names that were the most popular in 2015, according to the Department of Justice. Among boys it is:

• Yusif - growth, profit.
• Huseyn is beautiful.
• Ali is the highest, supreme.
• Murad - intention, goal.
• Omar - life, long-liver.
• Muhammad is praiseworthy.
• Aykhan - joy.
• Ugur - happiness, good omen.
• Ibrahim is the name of the prophet Abraham.
• Tunar - light/fire within.
• Kyanan - born to rule.

Among girls, Zahra became the record holder - brilliant. The following names are also very popular:

• Nurai is the light of the moon.
• Fatima is an adult, understanding.
• Eileen is a moon halo.
• Ayan is widely known.
• Zeynab - full, strong.
• Khadija - born before her time.
• Madina - the city of Medina.
• Melek is an angel.
• Maryam is the name of the mother of the prophet Isa, beloved by God, bitter.
• Layla - night.

What names did Azerbaijanis fall out of love with?

As you know, a daughter in the East is not always a welcome phenomenon. Especially if it's the fourth or fifth in a row. Parents will have to marry a grown girl, while collecting a considerable dowry. Therefore, in the old days, the names of girlsalso matched:

• Kifayat - enough;
• Gyztamam - enough daughters;
• Besty - that's enough;
• Gyzgayit - the girl is back.

Over time, the problem of dowry ceased to be so acute. Accordingly, the names have changed. Now they mean "dream", "beloved" and "joyful". And the old ones, not very positive and beautiful, are practically not used today.

Conclusion

Many Azerbaijanis believe that the name of the child determines his fate. Therefore, when choosing it, one should take into account not only the brevity and ease of pronunciation, but also the meaning hidden behind it. Beautiful Azerbaijani surnames, combined with no less euphonious names, can bring joy, prosperity and a long happy life to children.