Turkish Girl Names

Turkish girls' names often draw on the sky, the sea and the natural world, and many carry a bright, lyrical sound that travels well into English. Ayla and Aylin are both tied to the moon, with Ayla usually explained as the halo of light around it. Deniz means sea and is used for both girls and boys in Turkey, while Kaya means rock and has a sturdy, grounded feel.

Turkish draws on Turkic roots as well as Arabic and Persian vocabulary, so you will see a mix of origins on this list. Elif is the name of the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, and Zeynep and Leyla have long histories across the wider Muslim world. Alara and Ela have a light, airy rhythm that suits many surnames.

Spelling is worth a moment of thought. Turkish uses letters such as ş, ç, ğ and a dotless ı, and these are usually dropped when a name is written in English, which can change how relatives pronounce it. Aylah shows how an extra letter can creep in to guide English speakers. Saying a name aloud with someone who speaks Turkish is a simple way to check that the version you choose sounds the way you intend.