Between Two Names: A Study of Kurdish Naming Practices and Identity in Türkiye

This study explores the experiences of Kurdish individuals in Van, Türkiye, who were given both Kurdish and Turkish names by their parents. Twelve participants, aged 43 to 56 (6 men and 6 women), were interviewed to understand how this practice shaped their sense of self and culture. Utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological approach, the interviews focused on why their parents chose to give them two names, the emotional effects of having two names, and how it impacted their Kurdish identity. The findings showed that this dual naming practice was a direct parental strategy for navigating state-led assimilationist policies. Consequently, many participants used their Turkish names in public as a protective mechanism to avoid discrimination and secure access to education and employment. In contrast, their Kurdish names were cherished as important, intimate symbols of cultural pride and heritage, used within the private sphere of family and community. Some participants reported internalizing a sense of fear or shame about their Kurdish identity due to pervasive negative perceptions and securitization of Kurds in Turkish society. Despite these challenges, many expressed a deep, resilient sense of pride in their Kurdish roots and harbored hope for positive changes in the future, particularly energized by recent political shifts that might offer greater recognition of Kurdish culture and language. This study highlights the complex, dualistic relationship between naming and identity, revealing how anthroponymic practices serve as a site of both struggle and resilience for Kurdish individuals navigating an often-marginalizing societal landscape.