{"id":3102,"date":"2026-03-02T16:23:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T21:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.issendai.com\/16thcenturyistanbul\/?page_id=3102"},"modified":"2026-03-11T14:27:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T19:27:42","slug":"animals-in-ottoman-turkish-names","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.issendai.com\/16thcenturyistanbul\/turkish-names\/muslim-names\/animals-in-ottoman-turkish-names\/","title":{"rendered":"Animals in Ottoman Turkish Names"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

[In progress.]<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Dating the Names<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All the names are from c. 1450 to 1650 CE, with the bulk coming from the middle to late 1500’s. Many of these names are so popular that in any source with a large enough sample, you have a fair chance of finding at least one person with that name. Therefore, rather than bogging down the table with references, I have given a single source and date for each name, and have mentioned in the notes when a particular name is rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men’s Names<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Name<\/th>Animal<\/th>Notes<\/th>Source<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
\n

Arslan, Aslan<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Lion<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575 (Arslan), [USK84] 1590-1591 (Aslan)<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

Balaban<\/td>Hawk or falcon<\/td>Turkic or Persian. Possibly derived from the Persian word for “hero, wrestler,” it denotes a large, physically powerful person, and also refers to a number of different species of birds of prey.<\/td>[BAL02] 1563<\/td><\/tr>
\n

Burak<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Buraq, mythical steed<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Arabic. The Buraq, whose name literally means “lightning,” was the supernatural steed that carried Muhammad on his legendary Night Journey.<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[USK84] 1590-1591<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Do\u011fan<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Falcon<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Do\u011fanca<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Falconish<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Er Do\u011fan<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Male (mighty, brave) falcon<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Erkurd<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Male (mighty, brave) wolf<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[BIGA] 1516<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Gazanfer<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Fierce lion<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Arabic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[USK84] 1590-1591<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Hamza<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Lion<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Arabic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Haydar<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Lion<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Arabic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Kaplan<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Leopard<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic. Today means “tiger,” but in period meant “leopard.”<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[BAL01] 1557-1558<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Karaca<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Roe deer<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Karako\u00e7<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Black ram<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Kemal<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Camel<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Arabic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Kumru<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Dove<\/p>\n<\/td>

Arabic. A name used by both sexes.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Kurd, Kurt<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Wolf<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Melik Aslan<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

King lion<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

A rare name, documented in the case of Melik Aslan b. Uzun \u0130vaz.<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[USK05] 1524-1530<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Parsi<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Leopard<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Persian<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Pervane<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Moth<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Persian. A poetic name implying a lover who is drawn to the beloved like a moth to the flame.<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

\u015eahin<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Hawk<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Ser\u00e7e<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Sparrow<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Denotes smallness; the little finger was (and is) called the “sparrow finger.” A rare name, documented in the case of Sefer bt. Ser\u00e7e. Probably a nickname that took the place of the given name.<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[USK51] 1579-1580<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Sungur<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Gyrfalcon<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[USK09] 1534-1536<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Tu\u011frul<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Mythical bird of prey<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[USK09] 1534-1536<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Turna<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Crane<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

\u00dcveys<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Little wolf, wolf cub<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Arabic<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Veys<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Little wolf, wolf cub<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Arabic. A variant of \u00dcveys.<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Veysel<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Little wolf, wolf cub<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Arabic. A variant of \u00dcveys.<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SIVAS] 1574-1575<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A note on the identity of birds of prey:<\/strong> The Turkic peoples were master falconers who hunted with many types of birds of prey. The exact species each name applied to varied over space and time, and sometimes a word applied to a class of bird instead of a specific bird. I’ve tried to be accurate and to avoid modern usages, but I didn’t do deep research into the period-appropriate meanings, so please be aware that a name may have been used for a different bird or a wider array of birds in your chosen time and place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women’s Names<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Name<\/th>Animal<\/th>Notes<\/th>Source<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
\n

Dudu, Tuti<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Parrot<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Persian. Denotes pleasant, friendly speech. A name associated with female slaves.<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[BAL02] 1563 (Dudu), [USK02] 1518-1521 (Tuti)<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

G\u00fcvercin<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Pigeon<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Attested as a nickname: Ak G\u00fcvercin, “white pigeon,” was the professional name of a sex worker mentioned in the \u015eehrengiz of \u2018Azizi.<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SEHR] 1585<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

H\u00fcma<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Mythical bird of paradise<\/p>\n<\/td>

Persian. A popular name because it was the name of Muhammad’s mother.<\/p><\/td>

\n

[USK17] 1549-1556<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Kumru<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Dove<\/p>\n<\/td>

Arabic. A name used by both sexes.<\/span><\/p><\/p><\/td>

\n

[EYU03] 1585-1587<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

S\u00fcl\u00fcn<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Pheasant<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

Turkic. The pheasant was believed to have a pleasant, swaying walk. Attested as a nickname: S\u00fcl\u00fcn Emine, “Pheasant Emine,” was the professional name of a sex worker mentioned in the \u015eehrengiz of \u2018Azizi.<\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

[SEHR] 1585<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sources for Names<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

[BAL01] Y\u0131lmaz, CO\u015eKUN (ed.). \u0130stanbul Kad\u0131 Sicilleri Balat Mahkemesi 1 Numaral\u0131 Sicil (H. 964 \u2013 965 \/ M. 1557-1558)<\/em>. \u0130stanbul: \u0130sam, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[BAL02] Y\u0131lmaz, CO\u015eKUN (ed.). \u0130stanbul Kad\u0131 Sicilleri Balat Mahkemesi 2 Numaral\u0131 Sicil (H. 970 \u2013 971 \/ M. 1563)<\/em>. \u0130stanbul: \u0130sam, 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[BIGA] \u00c7ET\u0130NKAYA, Mehmet. \u201cTD 59 (1516) NUMARALI B\u0130GA MUFASSAL TAHR\u0130R DEFTER\u0130NE G\u00d6RE B\u0130GA SANCA\u011eINDA K\u0130\u015e\u0130 ADLARI<\/a>.\u201d T\u00dcRK D\u00dcNYASI YOLUNDA B\u0130R \u00d6M\u00dcR PROF. DR. MEHMET \u015eAH\u0130NG\u00d6Z\u2019E ARMA\u011eAN, 2022, 313\u201324.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[EYU03] Y\u0131lmaz, CO\u015eKUN (ed.). \u0130stanbul Kad\u0131 Sicilleri Ey\u00fcb Mahkemesi (Havass-\u0131 Refia) 3 Numaral\u0131 Sicil (H. 993 \u2013 995 \/ M. 1585 \u2013 1587)<\/em>. \u0130stanbul: \u0130sam, 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[SEHR] The \u015eehrengiz of ‘Azizi, discussed in “Ottoman Turkish Female Nicknames<\/a>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[SIVAS] Turkey Tapu ve Kadastro Genel M\u00fcd\u00fcrl\u00fc\u011f\u00fc. Ar\u015fiv Dairesi TKG KK TTd 178. 2014. H.982 (M.1574\/1575) Tarihli Ve TKG. KK. TTd. 178 Numaral\u0131 Defter-I Mufassal-I Liv\u0101-I Sivas<\/a><\/em>. Ankara: T.C. \u00c7evre ve \u015eehircilik Bakanl\u0131\u011f\u0131 Tapu ve Kadastro Genel M\u00fcd\u00fcrl\u00fc\u011f\u00fc Ar\u015fiv Dairesi Ba\u015fkanl\u0131\u011f\u0131.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[USK02] Y\u0131lmaz, CO\u015eKUN (ed.). \u0130stanbul Kad\u0131 Sicilleri: \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Mahkemesi 2 Numaral\u0131 Sicil (H. 924-927 \/ M. 1518-1521)<\/em>. \u0130stanbul: \u0130SAM, 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[USK05] Y\u0131lmaz, CO\u015eKUN (ed.). \u0130stanbul Kad\u0131 Sicilleri: \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Mahkemesi 5 Numaral\u0131 Sicil (H.930-936 \/ M. 1524-1530)<\/em>. \u0130stanbul: \u0130SAM, 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[USK09] Y\u0131lmaz, CO\u015eKUN (ed.). \u0130stanbul Kad\u0131 Sicilleri: \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Mahkemesi 9 Numaral\u0131 Sicil (H. 940-942 \/ M. 1534-1536)<\/em>. \u0130stanbul: \u0130SAM, 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[USK17] Y\u0131lmaz, CO\u015eKUN (ed.). \u0130stanbul Kad\u0131 Sicilleri \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Mahkemesi 17 Numaral\u0131 Sicil (H.956-963\/ M.1549-1556).<\/em> \u0130stanbul: \u0130SAM, 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[USK51] Y\u0131lmaz, CO\u015eKUN (ed.). \u0130stanbul Kad\u0131 Sicilleri: \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Mahkemesi 51 Numaral\u0131 Sicil (H.987-988\/ M.1579-1580)<\/em>. \u0130stanbul: T\u00fcrkiye Diyanet Vakf\u0131 Yay\u0131nlar\u0131, 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[USK84] Y\u0131lmaz, CO\u015eKUN (ed.). \u0130stanbul Kad\u0131 Sicilleri: \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Mahkemesi 84 Numaral\u0131 Sicil (H.999-1000\/ M.1590-1591)<\/em>. \u0130stanbul: T\u00fcrkiye Diyanet Vakf\u0131 Yay\u0131nlar\u0131, 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources for Name Meanings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u015eenel, Mustafa, and Nadir \u0130lhan. “Av hayvanlar\u0131n\u0131n ki\u015fi adlar\u0131ndaki yans\u0131mas\u0131<\/a>.” Av ve Avc\u0131l\u0131k Kitab\u0131<\/em> (2008): 321-336.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Redhouse, James W. Sir, 1811-1892. Redhouse’s Turkish Dictionary, In Two Parts, English And Turkish, And Turkish And English<\/em><\/a>. 2d ed. London: B. Quaritch, 1880.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Thanks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This article was the idea of Nikolai Gornostai Spiach’ev, Stote Herald Extraordinary, who had so many requests for Turkish animal names that he planned to write the article himself. When he was offered admittance to the Order of the Pelican, he realized that he had too much on his plate, and granted me permission to write the article instead. Te\u015fekk\u00fcr ederim, Nikolai \u00c7elebi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Updated March 11, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[In progress.] On Dating the Names All the names are from c. 1450 to 1650 CE, with the bulk coming from the middle to late 1500’s. Many of these names are so popular that in any source with a large enough sample, you have a fair chance of finding at\u2026<\/p>\n

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