Child Naming Traditions among the Karaite Turks
Child Naming Traditions among the Karaite Turks

Summary/Abstract: The Science of Anthroponymy (Eng. Anthroponymy, German Anthroponymie, Fr. Anthroponymié, Russian Антропонимия) deals with proper names, closely following their historical development, examining them in terms of origin, and is considered a sub-branch of Onomastics. A tradition has been created within the Turkish tribes regarding the science of personal names and it has been considered important. This tradition continues among the Karaites, a Turkic tribe born in Iraq in the VIIIth century, who adopted the Karaite sect, which accepts the Tanakh as the sole source of religious rulings. Since it is believed that the name given to a child will directly affect his/her character, his/her place in society, his/her family and his/ her future, naming is considered not an ordinary affair among the Karaite Turks. For this reason, the Karaites, despite being under the influence of the Karaite sect and culture, continue their traditions and customs in naming their children and generally prefer to give their children a national name, either a single name or one of two names. For example, single names include Altın, Arslan, Atçapaar, Aytola, Aytolı, Babakay, Gürek, Balhatun, Karaman, Kumuş, Biçe, Babay, Oğul, Oynak, Parlak etc. Two-part names include Anna-Akbike, Diana-Altın, Nina-Altın etc. In this study, it is emphasized what kinds of names are given to newborn Karaite children and for what purposes. In determining this information, firstly, historical and current data and dictionaries written on this subject were utilized, and then field research was conducted by using observation and interview techniques with two source persons residing in Lithuania/Trakai, where Karaite Turks live densely.

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