Azerbaijani is included in the group of Turkic languages. This also includes Turkish, Tatar, Kazakh, Bashkir, Uigur and many others. That is why many Azerbaijani surnames and names have oriental roots. In addition, the Persian and Arab cultures, as well as Islam, had a significant influence on these people. Therefore, some common Azerbaijani surnames have been known since the days 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: surname, name and patronymic.
Names
Many Azerbaijani names and surnames have such ancient roots that it can be very difficult to find their origins. By tradition, many locals call their kids in honor of their ancestors. At the same time, be sure to add: "Let it grow in accordance with the name." Female names in this country are most often associated with the concepts of beauty, tenderness, kindness and sophistication. It is very popular to use "floral motifs": Lale, Yasemen, Nergiz, Reyhan, Gizilgyul and others. It sounds simple and beautiful.
In general, the prefix "gul" means "rose." Therefore, it is constantly used by Azerbaijanis. After putting this particle to almost any name, you can get something new, surprisingly beautiful and unusual. For example, Gulnis, Gulshen, Naryngul, Sarygyul, Gulperi and others. Male names emphasize courage, unbending will, determination, courage and other character traits inherent in the stronger sex. Such names as Rashid, Heydar, Bahadir are very popular among boys.
How is patronymic formed?
Just like Azerbaijani surnames and first names, middle names here are formed in a different way. This is their difference from Russian and other Slavic languages. In Azerbaijan, in determining the patronymic of a person, the name of his father does not change. Prefixes like ours -ovich, -evich, -owna, -evna does not exist. Rather, they exist, but belong to the period of "Sovietization". And today they are used only in official business communication. Today, the Azerbaijani government is trying to return the country to historical roots. So - to traditional names and patronymics. And it is right.
Despite this, the patronymics of Azerbaijanis also have two forms:
- ogly;
- kyzy.
The first means “son, ” and the second means “daughter.” The name and patronymic of a person is thus composed of two names: own and paternal. And at the end, the corresponding prefix is added. For example, a woman may be called Zivar Mammad kizi. This literally means that the girl is the daughter of Mamed. Accordingly, a man can 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, the names of many residents also changed. Azerbaijani, whose importance has been formed over the centuries, have been changed. To them was added the Russian s or s. Up to this point, completely different endings were in use here:
- -oghlu;
- or;
- back.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijani surnames again began to revive in the country: female and male. This is done very simply. From the former "Soviet" version, the ending is simply cut off. Thus, the former Ibrahim Gubakhanov now sounds like Ibrahim Gubahan. The names of Azerbaijani girls are also cut off: there was Kurbanova - became Kurban.
Origin of surnames
Simply put, last names 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 the proper and paternal names with the addition of the particles “oglu”, “kyzy” or “zade”. This form was considered the norm here in the 19th century. And in Iranian Azerbaijan, it is often used today. Here they left the tradition.
Oddly enough, Azerbaijani surnames began to form under the influence of Russian culture. In ordinary people, they most often became nicknames, which in some way distinguished a person from other people. Last name and first name could, for example, look like this:
- Uzun Abdullah - long Abdullah.
- Kecal 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 grandfather or other relatives could be taken as a basis. That is why today in Azerbaijan there are quite a few names reminiscent of ancient middle names: Safaroglu, Almaszade, Kasumbeyli, Juvarly and the like. Other families were completely “Sovietized”. Therefore, today you can meet the Aliyevs, Tagiyevs and Mammadovs in Azerbaijan on every corner.
Azerbaijani names: list of the most popular
If you do not take into account the difference in endings, then you can make a small list of only 15 items. The list is rather small. Despite this, according to experts, these fifteen surnames account for about 80% of the country's inhabitants:
- Abbasov;
- Aliev;
- Babaev;
- Veliev;
- Gadzhiev;
- Hasanov
- Guliev
- Huseynov;
- Ibragimov;
- Ismailov;
- Musaev;
- Orujov;
- Rasulov;
- Suleymanov;
- Mamedov.
Although for ease of reading, they are all arranged alphabetically here. But still, the most popular surname in Azerbaijan is Mamedov. Every fifth or sixth resident of the country wears it. This is not surprising.
Since Mammad is the popular form of Muhammad in the everyday life of Azerbaijan, it is clear that parents gladly gave their child the name of a beloved and revered prophet. This has become a kind of tradition. Calling the baby Mamed, they believed that they would give him a happy fate and 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 "name of the gens" would give happiness and prosperity to all future generations of the same family.
Other common surnames in Azerbaijan
Of course, there are a lot of generic names in this eastern country. They are all different and interesting. Here is another list that contains popular Azerbaijani surnames (alphabetical list):
- Abiev;
- Agalarov;
- Alekperov;
- Amirov;
- Askerov;
- Bahramov;
- Vagifov;
- Gambarov;
- Jafarov;
- Kasumov;
- Kerimov;
- Mehdiyev;
- Safarov;
- The 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. She came from the adaptive form of the Arabic name Aliakbar. It can be divided into two parts:
- Ali is the great;
- Akbar is the oldest, greatest, greatest.
Thus, Alekperov is "the oldest (main) of the great." One way or another, but the basis of almost all Azerbaijani surnames is still the names of the ancestors. That is why the next part of this article is devoted to the analysis and description of their origin and significance.
Name formation
This process in Azerbaijan can be divided into several stages. In ancient times, locals in their entire lives had at least three names. All of them could radically differ among themselves. The first is children's. It was given to the child by parents at birth. It served only to distinguish it from other children. The second is adolescent. It was given to a teenager by fellow villagers depending on character traits, spiritual qualities, or external characteristics. The third name is the one that a person has earned in old age on his own, with 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 reaffirmed their devotion to the Islamic movement. Mamed, Mamish, Ali, Omar, Fatma, Khadija and others became popular. Most of the names were still of Arab origin. When communism came to these lands, loyalty to the ideals of the party and the dominant ideology began to be displayed. Names became popular that could easily be pronounced and written to a Russian person. And some, especially zealous parents, began to give their children completely strange: State Farm, Tractor and the like.
With the collapse of the Union and gaining independence, a sharp turn sets in again in the formation of Azerbaijani names. In the first place is the idea and semantic load associated with deep national roots. It is no secret that along with the names, Azerbaijani surnames also changed. The pronunciation and spelling of them then approached the Arabic, then completely Russified.
Name Usage Features
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 to the opponent.
Here are some of them:
- Mirzag. This prefix is used as a respectful appeal to scientists or simply very smart and educated people. It sounds like “Mirzag Ali” or “Mirzag Isfendiyar”. Today, the prefix has practically disappeared from circulation.
- Yoldash. In the days of the Union, the traditional "comrade" came into circulation. In Azerbaijani - Yoldash. The prefix was also located in front of the surname. It sounded like this: "Yoldash Mehdiyev", "Yoldash Khanlarova."
- Quiche. This is a familiar, slightly cronyism. It is used in conversation by peers: Anwar Kishi, Dilyaver Kishi and so on.
- Anvard. It means the same, only in relation to a woman: Nargiz avard, Lale avard.
There are a few prefix words used with respect for young ladies:
- hanym - respectable;
- hanymgyz - respected girl (for young people);
- baji - sister;
- gelin is the bride.
In addition to the above, there are many more respectful prefixes, formed from the degree of kinship. Moreover, when applying, it is absolutely not necessary that people are relatives in fact. There are so many prefixes that sometimes they become part of the name:
- Bibi is an aunt. Father's sister is Agabibi, Inhibibi.
- Amy is an uncle. Father's brother is Balaemi.
- Daina is an uncle. The mother’s brother is the Agadaina.
- Baba - the grandfather: Ezimbaba, Shirbaba, Atababa.
- Badzhikiz is a niece. Sister's daughter - Boyuk-baji, Shah-baji and others.
Conversational Features of Male and Female Names
As in the Russian language, Azerbaijani names have diminutive variants. They are formed by joining affixes:
- (s);
- (s);
- -ysh (-ish);
- -ush (-yush).
Thus, from the name of the cuber we get the cube, and Valida becomes the Walish. Nadira's parents name is Nadysh, and Khudayara is Hoodoo. Some diminutive forms so take root that over time they transform into a separate name.
In colloquial speech, names formed by a simple abbreviation are quite often used:
- Suria - Sura;
- Farida - Farah;
- Rafiga - Rafa;
- Aliya - Alia and so on.
There are names that suit both men and women at the same time: Shirin, Izzet, Haver, Shovket. And some, depending on the gender of the person, form forms:
- Selim - Selima;
- Tofig - Tofig;
- Farid - Farida;
- Camille - Camille.
Quite often, Azerbaijanis, especially the older generation, have double names: Ali Heydar, Abbas Gulu, Aga Musa, Kurban Ali and the like.
Traditional names of Azerbaijani children
Here is a short list of names that, according to the Ministry of Justice, became the most popular in 2015. Among boys, these are:
- Yusif - gain, profit.
- Huseyn is beautiful.
- Ali is the supreme, supreme.
- Murad - intention, purpose.
- Omar is life, a long-liver.
- Muhammad is worthy of praise.
- Ayhan is a joy.
- Ugur is happiness, a good omen.
- Ibrahim is the name of the prophet Abraham.
- Tunar is the light / fire within.
- Kyanan - born to rule.
Among the girls, Zakhra became a record holder - brilliant. Such names are also very popular:
- Nurai is the light of the moon.
- Fatima is an adult, understanding.
- Eileen is the lunar halo.
- Ayan is widely known.
- Zeynab is full, strong.
- Khadija - born before time.
- Madina is the city of Medina.
- Melek is an angel.
- Maryam is the name of the mother of the prophet Isa, beloved of God, bitter.
- Leila - the 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 she is the fourth or fifth in a row. Parents who have grown up will have to marry, while collecting a considerable dowry. Therefore, in the old days, the names of the girls were also corresponding:
- Kifayyat - enough;
- Gyztamam - enough daughters;
- Besty - that's enough;
- Gyzgayit - the girl has returned.
Over time, the dowry problem ceased to be so acute. Accordingly, the names have changed. Now they mean “dream”, “beloved” and “joyful”. And the old ones, not too positive and beautiful, are practically not used today.
