Uzbek surnames have undergone significant historical transformation, reflecting broader cultural, political, and linguistic changes in Central Asia. From pre-Soviet traditions of single given names and honorifics to the Russified system imposed during the Soviet era, and finally to the post-Soviet revival of indigenous naming forms, the history of Uzbek surnames illustrates the intersection of local heritage with external influences.
As in other Central Asian countries, the formation of Uzbek surnames was strongly shaped by Islam and Muslim culture. Yet a number of native forms survived, though surnames of Turkic origin make up only about 5 percent. Most Uzbek family names derive from Arabic, often linked to Islamic history and text -- for example, Saidov (“descendant of a sayyid”) or Hafizov (“descendant of a Qur’an reciter”), while Temirov (“son of iron”) or Qorayev (“descendant of the black one”) reflect Turkic roots.
Because Uzbeks have long lived under diverse cultural influences, identifying truly “native” surname forms is difficult. Further complexity arises from the division of the Uzbek people into some 32 branches (tayors), including communities in the United Arab Emirates, Chinese Turkestan, and elsewhere. Each group has absorbed elements of surrounding cultures, leading to constant change and adaptation in naming practices.[1]
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History of Uzbek surnamesHistory of Uzbek surnames
Before the 1930sBefore the 1930s
Until the early 20th century, most Uzbeks traditionally used only a given name. Occasionally, an additional word was added, most often the father’s name or the name of the place of origin. Poets and scholars sometimes adopted pen names or honorifics; for example, the celebrated poet Alisher Navoi, whose epithet Navoi means “melodious.” These bynames, however, were not hereditary and cannot be regarded as surnames in the strict sense.
When the father’s name was appended, it was typically followed by the suffix -ogʻli (“son of”) or -qizi (“daughter of”), as in Ahmad Fazil-ogʻli. During the Soviet period, particularly among the intelligentsia, it became fashionable to add Persian–Tajik suffixes such as -zoda/-zade (“born of, child of”) -- for instance, Hamza Hakimzade or Turgun Sharifzade. Other common suffixes included -i, -vi, -iya, -viya (e.g., Qodiriy, Alaviy, Ismali, Alaviya). The long -iy ending also reflects Persian and Tajik influence. In addition, the use of laqab (honorific nicknames) followed the model of Arabic traditions.[2]
From the 1930s onwardFrom the 1930s onward
From the mid-1930s, the situation changed decisively. During the Sovietization of Uzbekistan, hereditary surnames were formally introduced and standardized through a process of Russification, paralleling developments among other peoples of the USSR. This was achieved by adding Russian suffixes such as -ov and -ev to the father’s name. Female surnames adopted the corresponding feminine ending -a. The grammatical behavior of Uzbek surnames thus came to mirror Russian surnames with the same endings.
According to ethnologists, approximately 99 percent of surnames in Uzbekistan were formed in this way. Both masculine and feminine versions were fully inflected by case, as in Russian. Interestingly, the same principle was applied specifically to male given names within the Bukharan Jewish community, resulting in surnames such as Pinkhasov and Mordekhaev. This transformation was closely tied to Soviet policies of passportization and the systematic registration of the population.
The Post-Soviet PeriodThe Post-Soviet Period
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Uzbekistan experienced a revival of national identity, which also affected naming practices. Many Uzbeks began to abandon the Russified endings -ov/-ev and their feminine forms -ova/-eva, in favor of suffixes reflecting local linguistic and cultural traditions. Common alternatives included -iy, -li, -zoda, -zade, all of which drew on Persian, Tajik, or Arabic models. For example, Karimov might become Karimiy, and Sharipova might be restored to Sharifzoda.
At the same time, many families chose to retain their Russified surnames, whether out of habit, administrative convenience, or as part of a broader Soviet cultural legacy. As a result, contemporary Uzbekistan presents a coexistence of both forms: surnames ending in -ov/-ev alongside “de-Russified” names that reflect older Persianate or Turkic traditions.
Most common Uzbek surnamesMost common Uzbek surnames
Celebrities with Uzbek surnames:Celebrities with Uzbek surnames:
- Alisher Navoi (also Ali-Shir Nava'i), poet
- Nargiz Zokirova, singer
- Behzod Abduraimov, musician
- Ravshan Irmatov, football referee
- Sevara Nazarkhan, singer
See alsoSee also
Explore more about Uzbek surnamesExplore more about Uzbek surnames
- Discover the origin of your last name at MyHeritage
- Uzbek personal names at ResearchGate