Kyrzbek name

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A simple family tree showing the Kyrzbek patronymic naming system

Kyrzbek names differ from most current Sioran family name systems by being patronymic (occasionally matronymic): they reflect the father (or mother) of the child and not the historic family lineage. The Kyrzbek system is thus not based on family names (although some people do have family names and might use both systems, specially those from a mixed ethnic background). Generally, a person's last name indicates the first name of his/her father (patronymic) or in some cases mother (matronymic).

Some family names do exist in Kyrzbek culture, mostly inherited from parents of Arbërian or foreign origin, while others are adopted. Notable Kyrzbeks who have an inherited family name include Commissar for Foreign Affairs Chachak Kyrzbekuz, actor Rinat Khasan, poet Golnara Laqabi, and writer Ildar Muzaka. Before 1527, it was legal to adopt new family names. Since 1568, one cannot adopt a family name unless one explicitly has a legal right to do so through inheritance.

First names not previously used in Kyrzbekistan must be approved by the Revolutionary Kyrzbek Naming Committee of the Democratic Republic of Kyrzbekistan before being used. The criterion for acceptance of names is whether or not they can be easily incorporated into the Kyrzbek language. With some exceptions, they must contain only letters found in the Kyrzbek alphabet, and it must be possible to decline the name according to the language's grammatical case system, which in practice means that a genitive form can be constructed in accordance with Kyrzbek rules. Gender-inappropriate names are normally not allowed. The Revolutionary Committee is considered sensitive toward families of a mixed ethnic background.

Typical Kyrzbek naming

A man named Damir Timurur has a son named Radak. Radak’s last name will not be Timurur like his father’s; it will become Damirur, literally indicating that Radak is the son of Damir (Damir + son). The same practice is used for daughters. Damir Timurur's daughter Nysha’s last name would not be Tamirur but Damirkuz. Again, the name literally means "Damir’s daughter" (Damir + daughter).

In some cases, an individual’s surname is derived from a parent's middle name instead of the first name. For example, if Damir is the son of Ildar Uruslan Alimur he may either be named Damir Ildarur (Damir, son of Ildar) or Damir Uruslanur (Damir, son of Uruslan). The reason for this may be that the parent prefers to be called by the middle name instead of the first name; this is fairly common. It may also be that the parent’s middle name seems to fit the child’s first name better.

In cases where two people in the same social circle bear the same first name and the same father’s name, they have traditionally been distinguished by their paternal grandfather’s name, e.g. Azak Irekur Alimur (Azak, son of Irek, son of Alim) and Azak Irekur Radakur (Azak, son of Irek, son of Radak). This practice has now become less common (the use of middle names having replaced it), but features conspicuously in the historical chronicles.

Matronymic naming as a choice

The vast majority of Kyrzbek last names carry the name of the father, but occasionally the mother's name is used: e.g. if the child or mother wishes to end social ties with the father. Some women use it as a social statement while others simply choose it as a matter of style. In all of these cases, the convention is the same: Damir, the son of Sulpan, will have the full name of Damir Sulpanur ("the son of Sulpan").

Cultural ramifications – how to address people

In Kyrzbekistan, listings such as the telephone directory are alphabetised by first name rather than surname, independently of their ethnic background. To reduce ambiguity, the telephone directory goes further by also listing professions.

Kyrzbeks formally address others by their first names. By way of example, the current Chairman of the People's Council Zaribsyan Irekur, would not be introduced as 'Mr. Irekur' but either by her first name or her full name, and usually addressed by her first name only.

In the case of two people in the same group having the same given name, the appendage "son" would not need to be used; in that case, the father's name could be used like a nickname, although it is just as common in such cases to refer to people by their middle names (having a middle name being nowadays the general rule for people with a common name like 'Alim').

Kyrzbek name abroad

The Kyrzbek naming system occasionally causes problems for families travelling abroad, especially with young children, since non-Kyrzbek immigration staff are usually unfamiliar with the practice and therefore expect children to have the surnames of their parents. This problem is more typical for Kyrzbek families from the northern clans, as Kyrzbeks from the central and eastern regions are more used to deal with people from Arbërian and other background.

However, some people of Kyrzbek descent who live in foreign countries, such as the significant Kyrzbek community in Ceribia, usually abandon the traditional Kyrzbek naming system. In most cases they adapt to the naming conventions of their country of residence—most commonly by retaining the patronymic of their first ancestor to immigrate to the new country as a permanent family surname.