Why is Turkey Now Called Türkiye?

The name Türkiye is used today as the name of the country both in Turkish and internationally. When the question ‘Why is Turkey called Turkey?’ comes to mind, what do we need to know about the historical origins and development of this name? How did the name Türkiye come about, what changes did it undergo throughout history, and why is it called ‘Turkey’? In this article, we will examine the meaning of the name Türkiye, its historical development, and its cultural background in detail.The word ‘Türkiye’ is a combination of the word “Türk” and the suffix ‘-iye,’ which is used in Arabic or Persian for place names. This suffix is used to refer to a geography or a state and means ‘the land of the Turks’ or ‘the place of the Turks.’ The term ‘Türkiye’ began to be widely used during the Ottoman period.The word ‘Türk’ is the name of the people who came from Central Asia to Anatolia, and various Turkic tribes have used this name throughout history. The term “Türkiye” emerged to describe the lands where Turks lived. The word ‘Türkiye’ was first used in 16th-century sources to refer to Ottoman territories.The name Türkiye was not yet used as the official name of the state during the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans generally referred to their state as ‘Devlet-i Aliyye-i Osmaniye’ (the Sublime Ottoman State). However, foreign sources used the terms “Turkey” or ‘Turquie’ to refer to Ottoman lands and people.With the rise of nationalism in the 20th century, the name ‘Türkiye’ began to gain traction. In 1923, with the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye, the official state name was adopted as ‘Republic of Türkiye.’ The newly established state, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was a continuation of the Ottoman Empire, but it emphasised a different and modern identity. Thus, the name ‘Türkiye’ began to be used officially both domestically and internationally.In foreign languages, Türkiye is generally referred to as ‘Turkey.’ The English word “Turkey” is used both as the name of the country and to refer to the bird. While the English name for Türkiye comes from the word ‘Turkey,’ this name was actually used in medieval Europe to refer to the lands where the Turks lived.The origin of the word ‘Turkey’ comes from the Latin word “Turchia” (the land of the Turks). This name became widespread in Europe as a result of interactions with the Ottomans. However, the fact that the word ‘Turkey’ is the same as the word 'turkey (bird)' is a completely different cultural process and has no direct connection to geography.The Turkish name ‘Türkiye’ is the name used by the Turkish people in their own language and reflects the country's identity. Therefore, the official and international name of Turkey is now Türkiye, although there may be different pronunciations and spellings in different languages.The name Türkiye is not only a geographical description but also an expression of national identity. Unlike the multi-ethnic structure of the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Türkiye represents a state structure united around the ‘Turkish’ identity. The suffix ‘-iye’ in the name emphasises that these lands are the homeland of the Turks.The name Türkiye has become a symbol of national consciousness and independence since the founding of the Republic. For this reason, it holds great historical and cultural significance.The answer to the question ‘Why is Turkey called Türkiye?’ is based on a long process in which history, language and culture are intertwined. The name Türkiye is a name used during the Ottoman period and made official with the Republic, which refers to the lands where the Turkish people live. The English name “Turkey” is of European origin and derives from the meaning ‘the country of the Turks.’ The name Türkiye is a symbol of both national identity and historical heritage in the modern sense.Understanding the origin of Türkiye's name provides a deep insight into our country's history and cultural identity. The name Türkiye is not merely a geographical designation but also a concept associated with freedom, independence, and national consciousness.

Why Did “Turkey” Become “Türkiye”? The Story Behind the Name Change

The Origin of the Name Türkiye: Türk + -iye Suffix

Historical Use of the Name Türkiye

The Difference Between ‘Turkey’ and ‘Türkiye’: From a Linguistic and Cultural Perspective

The Name Türkiye and National Identity

So, Why is Turkey called Türkiye?

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