Kurdish names for babies and nicknames
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 10:37 amAfter exchanges about Kurdish names with one of our members, I open a thread about Kurdish names and their meaning, that could help future parents, or people who would like to change their own names…
Let's begin by males :
Before most of Kurdish names were Arab and Islamic. There are also ancient Iranian names, from heroes like Zal, Rustem, Khosrow…
And now Kawa, for patriotic people. But a few of Kurds know that Kawa's son, the last one taken by Zohak has a name in Firdewsî's Shahnameh : Qaren (don't know the meaning).
Historic Kurdish heroes and great figures had most of the time Arab names, but not all the time : Sultan Salah ad Din which is a laqab not a name, but his uncle was Şêrko (lion of mountains) Bedir Xan Brothers : Celadet, Sureya, but Kamuran (the possessor, like 'Dara').
Romantic Kurdish names come from Lover's story like Mem, Tacdîn, Siyabend, or names figuring Lover's wounded heart Dildar, Dilbixwîn, Evîndar, and also Cigerwxwîn (bleeding livers). Dildar and Cigerxwîn are also poet's names, like Apo (Osman Sebrî).
If you want moral quality, you have Dilovan (friendly, warm), Dilgerm (warm, kind heart), Cemerd (generous) Rêber (the guide), etc.
If you want happy and merry names Dilşad (merry heart), Dilxweş (happy heart), Şadî (Joy), Ronî (bright, shining), Kenî (smile), etc.
Warriors' names Cengawar (Warrior, fighter), Siwar (Rider), Egîd (hero), Aza (valiant, intrepid), etc.
Or name of a place , river, mountain, city : Sîrwan is a river, Şêrwan is a place but means also Lion of Wan Lake.
In general. Kurds don't give animal's names to their boys, not like Turks, except for the Lion : Şêr.
Concerning girls,the most famous epic story heroin is Şêrîn, Şîrîn ; there are also Zîn, Setî, Xacê, etc.
Female historical figures are less numerous but they exist : Dayfa Xatûn was an Ayyudib queen of Aleppo, Ghazal Xatûn of Hama, Adela Xatûn a famous chief tribe in 19th century.
Romantic names for females are not 'bleeding suffering' names (this part is for males). Many names insists on beauty and delicacy : Narîn (delicate), Zelal (fair, pure), Şermîn (shy).
Merry names : Rûken (Smiling face), Rûşen (also smiling or joyful).
Many names for girls are flowers : benefş (violet), Kulîlk (small flowers), Sosîn (Lily) and of course Gul (rose) but often with characteristic : Gulzer (Golden or yellow rose, that could means also a sad or jealous flower!) ; Gulnîşan (the most remarkable rose), Gulistan )Garden of roses), Gulşah (Merry rose).
And many names are from weather and as Kurds LOVE rain they call their own kids Baran (rain) and even Tolîn (hail) ; mainly for girls : Berf, Berfîn (snow, snowy).
Some names can change their gender with regions. For example, Ciwan (young, handsome) is mostly male in Rojava but for Sorans it can be for girls. Narîman is mainly male in Rojava but I met a Narîman man in Halabja.
Some names are both Kurdish and Western (good for people out of Kurdistan) : Alan is flag. Sosîn, Susan are the same. Ciwan can be written Joan.
So that is the first bunch of Kurdish names and members can add all the names they like (( gave mostly Kurmancî names, you can add Soranî or Kirmanckî), or if someone wants to know the Kurdish name for a special quality or symbol let's ask.
Let's begin by males :
Before most of Kurdish names were Arab and Islamic. There are also ancient Iranian names, from heroes like Zal, Rustem, Khosrow…
And now Kawa, for patriotic people. But a few of Kurds know that Kawa's son, the last one taken by Zohak has a name in Firdewsî's Shahnameh : Qaren (don't know the meaning).
Historic Kurdish heroes and great figures had most of the time Arab names, but not all the time : Sultan Salah ad Din which is a laqab not a name, but his uncle was Şêrko (lion of mountains) Bedir Xan Brothers : Celadet, Sureya, but Kamuran (the possessor, like 'Dara').
Romantic Kurdish names come from Lover's story like Mem, Tacdîn, Siyabend, or names figuring Lover's wounded heart Dildar, Dilbixwîn, Evîndar, and also Cigerwxwîn (bleeding livers). Dildar and Cigerxwîn are also poet's names, like Apo (Osman Sebrî).
If you want moral quality, you have Dilovan (friendly, warm), Dilgerm (warm, kind heart), Cemerd (generous) Rêber (the guide), etc.
If you want happy and merry names Dilşad (merry heart), Dilxweş (happy heart), Şadî (Joy), Ronî (bright, shining), Kenî (smile), etc.
Warriors' names Cengawar (Warrior, fighter), Siwar (Rider), Egîd (hero), Aza (valiant, intrepid), etc.
Or name of a place , river, mountain, city : Sîrwan is a river, Şêrwan is a place but means also Lion of Wan Lake.
In general. Kurds don't give animal's names to their boys, not like Turks, except for the Lion : Şêr.
Concerning girls,the most famous epic story heroin is Şêrîn, Şîrîn ; there are also Zîn, Setî, Xacê, etc.
Female historical figures are less numerous but they exist : Dayfa Xatûn was an Ayyudib queen of Aleppo, Ghazal Xatûn of Hama, Adela Xatûn a famous chief tribe in 19th century.
Romantic names for females are not 'bleeding suffering' names (this part is for males). Many names insists on beauty and delicacy : Narîn (delicate), Zelal (fair, pure), Şermîn (shy).
Merry names : Rûken (Smiling face), Rûşen (also smiling or joyful).
Many names for girls are flowers : benefş (violet), Kulîlk (small flowers), Sosîn (Lily) and of course Gul (rose) but often with characteristic : Gulzer (Golden or yellow rose, that could means also a sad or jealous flower!) ; Gulnîşan (the most remarkable rose), Gulistan )Garden of roses), Gulşah (Merry rose).
And many names are from weather and as Kurds LOVE rain they call their own kids Baran (rain) and even Tolîn (hail) ; mainly for girls : Berf, Berfîn (snow, snowy).
Some names can change their gender with regions. For example, Ciwan (young, handsome) is mostly male in Rojava but for Sorans it can be for girls. Narîman is mainly male in Rojava but I met a Narîman man in Halabja.
Some names are both Kurdish and Western (good for people out of Kurdistan) : Alan is flag. Sosîn, Susan are the same. Ciwan can be written Joan.
So that is the first bunch of Kurdish names and members can add all the names they like (( gave mostly Kurmancî names, you can add Soranî or Kirmanckî), or if someone wants to know the Kurdish name for a special quality or symbol let's ask.
