Surname Oktay - Meaning and Origin
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Oktay: What does the surname Oktay mean?
Oktay is an uncommon Turkish surname derived from the given name Oktay, which comes from the name Oktawan or Oktavian, which ultimately derives from the Latin Octavian. It has been suggested that the name could indicate that the family of the bearer is of noble origin.
In Turkey, the surname Oktay is most commonly found in the cottage industry known as carpet weaving. Carpets are a symbol of status and prestige in Turkey, so this would point to a legacy of someone with a great deal of wealth and status.
The name Oktay literally means ‘an eighth’ in Turkish, and could have been given originally to eight sons as a kind of nickname. This explanation seems to fit with the use of Octavian in the past.
The Turkish culture is very devoted to its family and the esteemed status of the family is very important. It is likely that the surname Oktay reflects a tradition of a high status and wealth within a family, which could have been from an original noble background.
Therefore, the surname Oktay is likely to represent a family of high prestige and wealth, with a likely history of noble origin. Its use of the number ‘eight’ might also indicate a tradition of a large family, with many children in the lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisOktay: Where does the name Oktay come from?
The last name Oktay is most commonly found in Turkey, particularly among Turkish people of Turkish and Kurdish origin. It is believed to have originated in the eastern Turkish provinces, such as Elazığ and Malatya. It is also found in several Central Asian countries, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as in some parts of Azerbaijan and Iran. Oktay is most likely derived from a Turkish word for "lucky" or "fortunate", and is generally given to boys born on special occasions, as it is seen as a good omen.
In the United States, the name is found mainly amongst immigrants from Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries, where it is an increasingly popular name among second-generation immigrants as well. Additionally, Oktay is a popular name in Germany, France, and other parts of Europe because of a large Turkish diaspora there.
The name Oktay is one of the most popular surnames in Turkey, ranking in the top 200 names in the country. It continues to be a popular name in Central Asia, Europe, and the United States, as well as its original home in the Middle East. Those bearing the name Oktay can take comfort in knowing that their name carries a long and proud heritage, and that it continues to be cherished in many corners of the world today.
Variations of the surname Oktay
Oktay is a surname with variants from various regions and cultures. Variations in spelling include Oktai and Ocai. It is primarily found in Turkey, where it is thought to originate, as well as other nations including Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine.
In Turkey, Oktay is a common surname but may also be spelled differently depending on the time period and location. Here, common variants include Aktay, Ukyay, Okcay, Kucukay, Oktai, and Ukyai.
In Romania, the surname Oktay is also known as Aktay, Ukyay, Ukyaya, and OKay.
In Moldova, one variant spelling is Oktya, which is also found in Serbia and Ukraine.
In Bulgaria, the same surname may be spelled Oktai or Ocai.
It is also common among the Turkic-speaking peoples of Central Asia, where it may be spelled as Ahmedov and Akhmedov.
In some areas, including Eastern Europe, the name has undergone changes in spelling based on the country's alphabet, such as in Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova, where it is also known as OKay or OKtya.
Lastly, while not necessarily variants of the same origin, Oktay is sometimes used interchangeably with the surnames Okan and Okyay, which means "keeper" in the Turkic language.
Famous people with the name Oktay
- Yeliz Oktay: an actress and model from Turkey.
- Simge Oktay: a Turkish pop singer.
- Muhammet Oktay: a Turkish football players who plays for Gaziantep F.K. in the Turkish Super League.
- Ferudun Oktay: a renowned Turkish media entrepreneur and safety entrepreneur.
- Kutlu Oktay: a veteran technologist and current president of TÜBSİAD (Turkish Businessmen & Industrialists' Association).
- Mustafa Oktay: a Turkish sports commentator and journalist.
- Ülkü Oktay: a Turkish stage actress.
- Abdurrahman Oktay: a Turkish basketball player for Beşiktaş.
- Ergün Oktay: a Turkish football player.
- Fatma Oktay: a Turkish actress and model.