Male names of Central Asia. Uzbek names

Uzbek names amaze with their diversity, bizarre pattern of construction and multifaceted meaning. To some, these names may seem exotic and unusual. Their true meaning becomes clear if one considers the history of the origin of Uzbek names as a reflection of the way of life, traditions and customs of the people.

Folk Uzbek names.

The Uzbeks believed that the name is an omen. Therefore, parents have always tried to endow their children with positive qualities through the name - Karim (generous, noble), Sabir (hardy, patient), Kamil (perfect). Meaning women's Uzbek names usually associated with beauty, grace and tenderness Nafisa (graceful), Dilbar (charming). Some female names come from the names of flowers Lola (tulip), Nilufar (lotus), Guli (flower). Often found male Uzbek names with meaning courage and strength Temur (iron), Kudrat (power), Arslan (lion).

Popular beliefs became the basis for the emergence of a certain group of names. For example, if only girls were born in the family, then in anticipation of an heir, the daughters were given such names - Ugiloy (son), Ulzhan (boy after girl), Kizlarbas (enough girls). At a time when infant mortality was very high, children were often given spell names Turdi (stay), Tursun (let them stay), Ulmas (do not die). And the twins were traditionally called Hassan and Husan, Fatima and Zuhra.

Muslim names in Uzbekistan.

Since the 8th century, Islam has become the dominant religion in Central Asia. Islam brought a huge number of Arabic, Iranian, Greek and Hebrew names to the Uzbek names - Ibrahim (Abraham), Yusuf (Joseph), Ishmael (Ismoil), Ishak (Isaac), Yakub (Yakov), Yunus (Jonah), Iskander (Alexander) . Over time, they almost completely replaced the Turkic names. The most common names were Muhammad and Fatima. Religious names Abdurashid (slave of the Wise), Abdullah (slave of Allah), Abdurrahman (slave of the Merciful), Nurdin (light of faith), Fathullah (victory of Allah) were originally the privilege of the clergy and nobility.

Modern Uzbek names.

In modern Uzbekistan, the diversity of names is preserved, although their number has significantly decreased. Rarely do parents choose religious names for their children. Many old names take on a second life. For example, the name Alisher is not perceived as the original "Lion Ali", but is associated with Alisher Navoi. Increasingly, the choice of a name is influenced by the popularity of a particular name. Boys are often called Bakhtiyar (happy), Bahodir (hero). And among the female names, Dilfuza, Gulchehra, Gulnara and Zamira are considered fashionable.

Uzbek names are able to amaze anyone with their diversity. They are very diverse, bizarre in structure and have a deep meaning. For the Russian ear, they are, of course, somewhat exotic, since they come from a completely different culture. Below we will briefly touch on the topic of Uzbek naming using the example of male names that are common in Uzbekistan.

Traditional Uzbek names

The people of Uzbekistan believe that names are not just words by which people recognize each other, but that this is a kind of prophecy about a person given to him when naming. That is why this issue has always been approached carefully, consciously, with all responsibility. Uzbek names for men, as well as, in general, for women, are therefore distinguished by such a depth of meaning that they are called upon to accompany a person throughout his life and direct his fate. Often this manifested a desire to bring some positive quality into the character of the child. For example, from this the name Karim, which means "noble", has received circulation. Women, of course, in this way mainly tried to instill beauty, grace, grace and tenderness. But Uzbek names for men are most often associated with the concepts of strength, dexterity, courage, bravery and the like, purely masculine qualities. Sometimes they have an allegorical interpretation. A striking example of this is the name Temur, meaning iron. Names derived from the names of animals are also popular. For example, if they want to liken a boy to a lion, then they call him Arslan.

Name selection factors

Oddly enough, Uzbek names for men, oddly enough, were periodically given to girls. This was due to the fact that the parents were expecting an heir, and only girls were born in the family. In this case, they could be called, for example, like this: Ugiloy, which means "son" or Ulzhan, which translates as "a boy following a girl." There is even such a name as Kizlarbas, in which one can hear the indignation and plea of ​​parents, because literally the name is translated into Russian with the phrase “enough girls”. Another factor that influenced the naming traditions in Uzbekistan is the high mortality rate among children. To protect the child from early death, he could be called a name-spell. The following Uzbek names for men, like Turdi and Tursun, come from this tradition. They mean “remained” and “let it remain”, respectively. Adjacent to them is such a name as Ulmas, which means "will not die." It is also interesting that if twins were born in the family, they were called Hassan and Husan.

Muslim Uzbek male names and their meanings

In Central Asia, where Uzbekistan is located, Islam has been the dominant religion since the 8th century. The Islamization of the region, of course, meant not only a change in dogma, but also the active penetration of Arab cultural markers, of which the names played a huge role. So, among the Uzbeks, Arabic, Persian and some other names, previously unknown in these parts and pretty much crowding out the local, primordial Uzbek male names, got into circulation. The list of them can be opened with the bright name Ibrahim, which is an Arabized form of the Hebrew name of the prophet Abraham. Following him, of course, it is worth mentioning such options as Yusuf (Joseph) and the Greek Alexander in the Arabized form Iskander. As time went on, these introduced, alien elements practically replaced the old traditions. The most popular name among Uzbeks is Mohammed. This name belonged to the prophet, the founder of Islam, and among his followers is considered prestigious. In addition to him, the name Abdullah, which means the slave of Allah, and the name Nurdin, which translates as "light", also deserve mention. Initially, these and similar options were taken by clergymen, as well as noble residents, but then they spread widely among the people.

Names in modern times

In the modern life of Uzbekistan in the field of naming, there is a drift from religious themes towards more mundane ideas. More and more children are called by their original names. For example, Bakhtiyar (happy) and Bahodir (strongman), these are very popular Uzbek male names today. Modern naming trends focus on the popularity of the name more than its meaning. Often also children are named after successful, famous people who have nothing to do with religion.

Uzbek names

The modern anthroponymic model of the Uzbek trinomial: personal (individual) name, surname, surname. But names corresponding to the full model are used only in official documents and only in some cases; more often, even in documents, the first two elements are replaced by initials, and in everyday life only the name plus the ending is used aka for men and oops for women

Name

Anthroponymy as an element of the culture of various peoples has been developing throughout their history. Among the Uzbeks, as well as among other peoples, anthroponymy has also changed over the centuries, but especially this process has been taking place in the last hundred years, covering both the name book and the very structure of the anthroponymic model.

The personal (individual) name from antiquity until recently served as virtually the only anthroponym of the Uzbeks; only sometimes it was accompanied by the name of the father or the name of the place of origin.

Arabic names

From the 8th century the undivided domination of Islam in the territory of Central Asia brought a lot of Muslim names, mostly Arabic, as well as many Iranian, Greek ( Alexander - Iskander) and through Arabic Hebrew:

• Abraham - Ibrahim (Ibrohim, Ibrohim)
• Joseph - Yusuf (Yusuf)
• Ishmael - Ismail (Ismayil)
• Isaac - Ishak (Ishak, Is "hak)
• Jacob - Yakub (Yokub, Yoqub)
• And she - Yunus (Yunus)

Islam pushed back the names of Turkic origin, but could not destroy them: at the beginning of the last century, they were worn by about 5% of Uzbeks. Many of the names that came with Islam were associated with religious ideas, heroes of Koranic stories. The most common names are Muhammad(name of the founder of the Muslim religion), Fatima(name of Muhammad's daughter). Compound names have spread:

• Muhammadkarim (Mўҳammadkarim, Mo‘hammadkarim)
• Tursunmurad (Tursunmurad, To'rsunmo'rad)

Especially often there were names with the first component abd-(Arabic “slave”) with numerous epithets of Allah:

• Abdurashid (Abduroshid, Abduroshid) - servant of the Wise
• Abdurahim (Abdurahim, Abdurahim) - servant of the Merciful
• Abdullah (Abdullo, Abdullo) - servant of Allah
• Abdurakhman (Abdurakhmon, Abdurahmon) - servant of the Merciful

With the second component -din"religion, faith" or -ulla"Allah":

• Nurdin (Nuruddin, Nuruddin) - light of faith
• Sadruddin (Sa'druddin, Sa'druddin) -Chest of Faith
• Sayfuddin (Sayfuddin, Sayfuddin) - religion sword
• Inayatulla (Inoyotullo, Inoyotullo) - mercy of Allah
• Fathulla (Fathullo, Fathullo) - Allah's victory

Initially, all these names were the privilege of the clergy and nobility.

In addition to religious names, names with a specific meaning are also used:

• Karim (a) (Karim (a), Karim (a)) - generous
• Majid (a) (Majid (a), Majid (a)) - glorious
• Umid (a) (Ўmid (a), O‘mid) - hope

Sublime concepts and feelings:

• Adolat (Adolat)- justice
• Muhabbat (Mukhabbot, Mo'habbot)- love, etc.

National names

Most of the Uzbeks, however, have retained a significant number of traditionally national names, divided into numerous groups:

1. Names symbolizing the wishes of strength, courage, beauty, etc.

• Batyr (Botir, Botir)- Bogatyr
• Arslan (Arslon, Arslon)- A lion
• Pulat (Pulot, Pulot)- Steel
• Temir- Iron
• Klich (Cry, Klich)- Saber
• Gulchehra (Ғўlchҳera, G‘o‘lchhera)- Flower Shape
• Altingul (Oltingul, Oltingul)- Golden Flower

2. Names (of different origin) of the heroes of oriental legends and fairy tales, historical figures:

• Rustam (Rustom, Ro‘stom)
• Yusuf (Yusuf, Yusuf)
• Farhad (Farhad, Farhad)
• Tahir (Tohir, Tohir)
• Shirin
• Zuhra (Zўҳro, Zo‘hro)
• Iskander (Iskandar, Isqandar)(Alexander the Great),

3. Names, data on the names of plants, animals, birds, domestic animals, etc., which are the most ancient in origin:

• Olma (Olma)- Apple
• Chinara (Chinara)- Chinara
• Urman (Urmon, Urmon)- Forest
• Sarimsok- Garlic
• Buri- Wolf

4. Names denoting various household items and tools:

• Bolt (Bolta)- axe ( Boltabay)
• Tesha (Tesha)- chopper ( Teshabay)
• Kilich- saber
• Ketmon (Ketmon)- ketmen

5. Names derived from terms denoting the degree of relationship

• Zhiyanboy (Zhiyonboy, Jiyonboy)- nephew
• Togay (TҞғoy, To‘g‘oy)- maternal uncle
• Bobozhon (Bobojon)- grandfather
• Onakhon (Onaxon)- mother

6. Names derived from toponyms, ethnonyms

It happens that a newborn has some pronounced national features. This was seen as a special sign, which was imprinted in the name.

• Altai (Oltoy, Oltoy)
• Karatoy (Koratoy, Qoratoy)
• Tashkentboy (Toshkentbuy, Toshkentbo‘y)
• Kirgizboy (Kirgizbўy, Qirg‘izbo‘y)
• Kozokboy (Kozokbuy, Qozoqbo‘y)
• Barlas
• Naiman (Naimon, Naymon)

The names in paragraphs 3,4,5,6 have long gone out of use, at this time they are practically not used.

Among the Uzbeks, a fair-haired child was often called by the name Urus- Russian.

However, the motives for naming these names may be different. For example, the desire to deceive evil spirits hostile to a given family, clan and tribe.

7. In families where children often died, parents, powerless in their ignorance, sought salvation in spell names and the following names were given to the born child:

• Ulmas (Ulmos, Ulmos)- "will not die"
• Tursun (Tursun, To'rsun)- "let it stay"
• Turgun (Tўrgon, To‘rg‘on)- "let it stay"
• Tokhta (Tўhto, To‘xto)- "stop", "stop"

In families where only girls were born, the newborn, according to legend, should have been called Ugil or Ugilhon- son, Ugilbulsin- “Let there be a son”, etc. Also, the wife and eldest daughter were addressed by the name of the masculine gender (still practiced!) In the hope of having a boy.

8. Names were also given according to various personal characteristics. Any child has some features that sometimes amaze the eye. It could be moles. Uzbeks have many names with the component hall- mole:

• Holdar (holdor, Holdor)
• Hol (Xol)
• Holmurod
• holbeck

According to popular belief, a mole is a lucky sign, and the name Hol, as it were, guarantees a happy future for the child.

Sometimes birthmarks - toji can serve as a reason for the name:

• Tojibek (Tojibek, Tojibek)
• Tojikhon (Tojikhon, Tojixon)

At the same time, they sometimes resort to a metaphor, correlating a red birthmark with a pomegranate - anor:

• Normat
• Norboy
• Norkul

The birth of a child with blond or red hair is a relatively rare case among Uzbeks. This may be reflected in the name:

• Akbay- White
• Sarybek- Yellow

Children with extra fingers or toes were given a name that included the word "orthik" or zied"(extra):

• Orthicals
• Ortigul
• Ziyod
• Ziyoda

Uzbeks gave a name to a weak baby Ochil. His parents gave him this name, hoping that it would serve as a cure for the disease. Ochil means “open”, “free yourself”, that is, free yourself, get rid of the disease.

9. Name Storms(wolf) was given to a child born with a tooth; names Bolt(axe), Tesha(hoe), Urak(sickle) - children whose umbilical cord was cut (when there were no maternity hospitals and women gave birth at home) with these objects. However, these same names were given to children, wishing them good health.

There are also names given by the names of various natural phenomena and objects, professions, numerals, etc.

We have listed only the main groups of the Uzbek names. Note that most of the names were used with different components. For example, in men:

• the battle - buy
• dost - Friend
• er - Cute,beloved, partner, satellite
• birdie - gave
• tosh - stone
• turdym - remained
• keldy - came
• jon - soul

Among women:

• ghoul - flower
• Ouch - month
• OK - white
• nur - Ray
• oim - my beauty
• bouvie - grandmother
• Nisa- harmonious ending of Arabic origin.

Most of the components mentioned above in Uzbek anthroponymy were widely used by all segments of the population. Peasant children could have names with the addition -bay, -bek, -mirza, -sultan, etc. At the same time, as a rule, the component “zhan” was not added to the name of a representative of the nobility, because it was considered a sign of the common people. Along with the names and components common to all Uzbeks, there were also features characteristic of various regions of Uzbekistan. But now these features are gradually disappearing.

• Name Mansour- this is an Arabic tracing paper of the ancient Roman (Latin) name Victor, which in turn is a calque of the Greek name Nikita- "winner"
• Name of the second Khorezmshah Atsyz in translation from the Turkic languages ​​means literally "without a name". Obviously, the Shah's parents, in order to protect him from the interference of secret forces, gave the child this strange name, or rather, "no name", because the name seemed to them in the form of a kind of target, which is targeted by the actions of evil spirits.
• In connection with the victory in the Great Patriotic War, almost every tenth newborn boy in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan received the name Zafar- "victory"
• Turkic slaves - gulams were often called Ayaz, which in translation from the ancient Turkic language meant "clear, clear sky"
• Female name Nargiz(a) came from Iran, which borrowed it from the Greek name for the flower Narcissus
• In Uzbek families, newborn male twins are usually called Hassan - Husan, and female - Fatima - Zuhra
• Female and male name Zamir(a) mistakenly reinterpreted by sound similarity with the Russian words "for the world", to which it has no meaning. From Arabic, the word zamir is translated as "hidden dream, innermost thought"
• Boy's name documented in Kashkadarya region Ahmed Zagotskot given in honor of the institution where the father works
• In another area, the child was given a name Shoes, in honor of sweetness sometimes give names Shakar(which is translated into Russian "Sugar"), or in honor of the chairman Rais(translation: Chairman of a collective farm or state farm)

Literature

• Gafurov A. G. "Lion and Cypress (about oriental names)", Nauka Publishing House, M., 1971
• Nikonov V. A. “Modern name of the Uzbeks”, Proceedings of the SAGU named after. Alisher Navoi, New Series, Issue No. 214, Issues of Onomastics, Samarkand, 1971
• Nikonov V. A. "Central Asian materials for a dictionary of personal names", Onomastics of Central Asia, Nauka Publishing House, M., 1978
• Roizenzon L. I., Bobohodzhaev "Anthroponymic series among the Uzbeks of Nurata (Samarkand region)", Onomastics of Central Asia, Nauka Publishing House, M., 1978
• The system of personal names among the peoples of the world, Nauka Publishing House, M., 1986