Names

The subject of names comes up frequently on the Kazakh adoptive parenting lists. Unfortunately, there are very few resources on-line. Below is a list of resources for ethnic and general names and a list of names, some with meanings.

Whether or not to change a child's name is a very personal decision. Quite a few adoptive parents will keep their child's original first name as a middle name, and give them an "American" first name. Others "Americanize" the original name. Some children are abandoned, and therefore named by the birth certificate office or other officials, which means that the name would have less sentimental value. One thing to keep in mind is that the child's name on paper is not necessarily what they are actually called; nicknames and diminutives are frequently used.

General Baby Naming Resources

These may include multiple ethnicities.

• Behind the Name : the etymology and history of first names. Search and large lists by ethnicity.
• 20,000 Names has a large listing by country.
• Babynamer : search the database by popularity, celebrities, or meanings; bulletin board.
• BabyCenter allows you to search by origin of name, syllables, starting and/or ending letter, and popularity. They also have bulletin boards on naming.
• iVillage has a customized search, favorites, meanings and origins, famous names, and a message board.
• BabyNames has a database that you can search by name or meaning, bulletin board.
• BabyNameWorld has baby name meanings that come from all around the world, listed by ethnicity. Not too many Russian names.
• Baby Names Searcher has over 50,000 names, search by name, meaning, origin.
• Popular Baby Names from around the world. Names by region and gender with meanings.
• New Parents Guide has a listing by letter. No search, but it does have some unusual names.
• igName3.zip : this is a PC file, which I could not get to open with my Mac, so let me know what it is, please. 4/08 site gone.
• Andy the Name Bender lists multiple origins and meanings.
• Cedar Seed : large list of names by ethnicity, with site search.
• Baby Name Network : lists by popularity, ethnicity, with site search. It also lists alternatives and famous namesakes.
• Baby Names world claims to have more than 11,000 names. Lots of ethnic origins, site search.
• Adoption.com baby names has 5400 names, site search.
• Baby Name Addict claims to have over 51,000 names; no search, discussion board.
• BirthCare has over 40,000 names in a searchable database.
• Think Baby Names search results give you nicknames, other forms, etc.
• CocoJams lists meaning for more unusual names.
• Baby Names Country has a large list of ethnic names with meanings.
• Baby Names Family : you can choose to search in the following categories: girl, boy, popular, alphabetically, origin, and celebrities.

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Sources for Central Eurasian, Russian, Other Ethnic Names

• Dictionary of Period Russian Names lists over 25,000 names; listed alphabetically.
• Period Mongolian Names
• Russian Names and their Nicknames with pronounciations; good source if you are having trouble finding a Russian name as what you may be looking for is actually a nickname.
• Russian Personal Names : name frequency in the Novgorod Birch-Bark letters.
• Mongol Names on the Medieval Names Archive.
• Mongolian name customs
• Slavic naming and naming practices sources.
• Russian Names is a list of names only, no meanings.
• Fogeign Name Cross-Reference : ethnic first names with their English equivalents. I also have it available: Cross-reference PDF .
• Kygyz Names : lists a few names, and meanings of parts of names. This is an archived version of this page.
• Find Your Fate: Russian Names is on a Numerology site, but it does have nice listing of meanings.
• Muslim and Islamic baby names has a large database of names for boys and girls.
• Female and Male Muslim names and their meanings.
• IslamiCity Muslim names for boys and girls.
• Personal Names from the Slavic Cataloging Manual Authorities at Princeton University.
• Sudairy Arabic names with meanings.
• Asian Gods lists Central-West Asia and Siberia, along with others.
• Arabic names masculine and feminine, most with meanings.

The Kabalarians web site offers the following Kazak names; they don't really list a meaning of the name, but a "personality" description, similar to numerology, based upon mathematical principles. "The extent to which English has been a part of your life determines the degree of influence of the spelling of your name using the English alphabet." The names listed below have been listed on the site, and they say they have a total of 500 Kazakh name.
Male Kazakh Names : Akmetzhan, Alen, Alibek, Arman, Askar, Baltabek, Camran, Daniar, Dastan, Eric, Erkin, Erzhan, Garri, Hojanias, Jean, Kairat, Kemhebek, Marat, Mukhametkali, Nazer, Nurlan, Nursultan, Oraz, Ravil, Serik, Serikbek, Talgat, Taras, Abai, Ablai, Achmedjan, Amanet, Aniyar, Assylhan, Baurzhan, Beibitzhan, Borat, Daniyarbek, Ershat, Fauske, Fomenko, Kapan, Kenes, Khazretgali, Kholmatzhon, Kuanyshbek ,Madiyar, Magjan.
Female Kazakh Names : Aigoul, Asel, Auken, Jean, Mariam, Raikhan, Aiaulym, Aigerim, Ainagul, Ainura, Aiselu, Aizhan, Alaphia, Aquanika, Aruzhan, Assel, Assem, Ayia-Napa, Batima, Binagurung, Bota, Botagoz, Dilnara, Enlik , Gulfiya, Gulshaim
They also have listings for Russian male and Russian female names, and many other categories . This site will at least tell you the ethnic origin of a name.

From Virtual Excursion over Kazakhstan (quoted in Issue 1 of the Kazakh Kids newsletter). This site comes and goes. 4/08 gone again.

The Kazakhs have no special made up names. All names come from the condition of their personal existence and the style of life they lead. It is not uncommon for names to be given that reflect certain events that occur at the time of the child's birth. Often the names reflect the hope of parents that the child will demonstrate certain character qualities. Women's names correspond to beauty, grace, elegance. Some names are derived from animals and their special characteristics. We can also see the geographic names. Sometimes names are given as a determination of the age of father. Oftentimes the names reflect some folk's traditions and customs. Just as many other nations, Kazakhs use a lot of different short-cut names. They are created by subtracting the ends of names and adding 'sh' or 'ken': Satuilgan = 'Satish', Auinagul = 'Auinash', and Saducas = 'Saken'. Parents, relatives and elder very often call children by diminutive names associated with the names of animal young.

The following names with meanings comes primarily from Virtual Excursion over Kazakhstan and Issue 4 of the Kazakh Kids newsletter. Dictionary of Period Russian Names helped fill in some of the blanks. I make no claims to the accuracy of the spelling, origins, or meanings. In some cases, I have found very different meanings. Generally, an (R) indicates that the name is Russian. If there is nothing listed, it is either Kazakh or of unknown origin. I encourage you to research your child's name and let me know if what I have is correct. Please e-mail me if your child's name is not here.

There are some basic roots of the names. These may help you figure out the meaning of the name. You could also look at the words on the Language page for parts of the name.
ai = moon
ghul, gul, goul = flower
mir = world (R)
ak = white
bota = child of camel
altyn = gold
er = brave, courageous, hero
zhan = literally: soul; precious
nur = shine
bazyl = generosity
zhas = young
bek = masculine ending
sh = suffix for loveable
tan = dawn, morning
bek = hard, tough, ruler

Kazakhs don't repeat a name in a family for 7 generations; they believe that doing so means that the relative doesn't exist any more and can cause a family feud.

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Page last updated on 30 April 2008.

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