Russian Influence On Azerbaijani Last Names: A Historical Perspective

Azerbaijanis have Russian last names due to the influence of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. During the Soviet era, Azerbaijanis were required to add Russian suffixes to their names, with -yev or -ov for male names and -yeva or -ova for female names. These endings mean belonging to in Russian. Before Russian rule, Azerbaijanis were typically known by their clan or tribal names, but the introduction of surnames began during the Russian Empire's rule in the 1900s. While some Azerbaijanis have chosen to de-Russify their last names, others have retained the Russian suffixes, seeing them as a part of their identity and history.

Russian naming customs were introduced to Azerbaijan during the rule of the Russian Empire

During the Soviet era, the Arabic alphabet, which had been used in Azerbaijan for over a thousand years, was replaced with a Latin-based alphabet. This shift also contributed to the adoption of Russian naming customs as the Arabic script was no longer widely used. The use of Russian suffixes became so prevalent that even after the collapse of the Soviet Union, they remained a part of the country's naming conventions, especially among Azerbaijanis.

The Russian influence on Azerbaijani surnames is evident in the common endings like "-ov", "-yev", "-ova", and "-yeva". These suffixes indicate the gender of the individual, with "-ov" and "-yev" denoting male names and "-ova" and "-yeva" denoting female names. This gender-specific aspect of naming conventions is a direct result of the Russian influence.

It is worth noting that not all Azerbaijanis were forced to change their surnames during the Russian rule. The minority who had surnames before the Russian occupation, often belonging to the elites or rich families, kept their original surnames. However, even within this group, there were complexities, and some surnames were translated or changed depending on the language of the source. For example, a person may be referred to as "Akhundov" in Russian sources but as "Akhundzade" in Ottoman, Persian, or Azerbaijani sources.

While the majority of Azerbaijanis adopted Russian naming customs, there have been efforts to revert to more traditional Azerbaijani naming practices. After gaining independence in 1991, some individuals petitioned to reclaim their original surnames, ending in "-li" or "-zade". This movement to "de-Russify" Azerbaijani last names is still ongoing, with a parliamentary committee preparing a draft law on the matter. The proposed changes would start with newborns and encourage others to voluntarily alter their surnames.

The use of surnames in Azerbaijan started in the 1900s

The adoption of surnames in Azerbaijan was a gradual process, and not all Azerbaijanis had surnames before the Russian Empire's influence. Some Azerbaijanis, particularly those from elite or wealthy backgrounds, had surnames before the Russian occupation of the Azerbaijani Khanates. These surnames, such as Bakikhanov and Taghiyev, were not changed during the Russian rule. However, for the majority of Azerbaijanis who did not have surnames, the introduction of surnames meant adopting the Russian naming conventions that were prevalent at the time.

The use of Russian suffixes in Azerbaijani surnames was further accelerated during the Stalinist rule. As a result, siblings from the same father could have different surnames, which can create challenges in pedigree research. For example, the children of brothers Ali, Hasan, and Huseyn would be surnamed Aliyev, Hasanov, and Huseynov, respectively.

In recent years, there has been a movement towards de-Russifying Azerbaijani surnames. After Azerbaijan gained independence in 1991, some people started to reclaim their original surnames, ending in "-li" or "-zade." This process of reclaiming cultural identity and removing the remnants of imperial oppression is seen as a significant victory by those who chose to change their surnames.

Surnames ending with -ov or -yev for males and -ova or -yeva for females mean belonging to in Russian

In Russian, surnames ending with -ov or -yev for males and -ova or -yeva for females mean "belonging to". This naming convention was pushed onto Azerbaijanis by the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. Before this, Azerbaijanis were known by their clan or tribal names and did not typically have surnames.

When the Soviets came to power in 1920, they required people to register their names, and Azerbaijanis had to add a Russian suffix to their names. The ending "-yev" or "-ov" was added to male names and "-yeva" or "-ova" to female names. This policy was applied to Muslims in the Soviet Union, as Christians such as Georgians and Armenians already had surnames and were not required to change them.

Since Azerbaijan gained independence in 1991, many Azerbaijanis have nationalised their names by removing the Russian endings or changing the "-ov" or "-yev" to "-li". Some Azerbaijanis have chosen to retain the Russian suffixes, seeing them as part of their identity and unique to those from Northern Azerbaijan. However, others have chosen to change their names to assert their Azerbaijani identity and remove the remnants of Russian rule.

The Soviet Union pushed for the adoption of Russian suffixes in surnames, except in Georgia, Armenia, and the Baltic states

The adoption of Russian naming customs in Azerbaijan can be traced back to the early 1900s when the country was under the rule of the Russian Empire. During this period, most Azerbaijanis did not have surnames and were known by their clan or tribal names. With the onset of Russian rule, the use of surnames became more widespread, and the suffixes "-ov" and "-yev" for males and "-ova" and "-yeva" for females were commonly added, meaning "belonging to" in Russian. This practice was further enforced during the Soviet era, as the Soviet Union pushed for the adoption of Russian naming conventions in Azerbaijan and other countries within its sphere of influence.

However, it is important to note that the Soviet Union did not uniformly impose Russian suffixes on all the countries it controlled. Notably, Georgia, Armenia, and the Baltic states were exempt from this policy. The reasons for this exception are multifaceted and rooted in the cultural and historical contexts of these countries. These nations already had established scripts and surnames that were standardised and widely used, making it challenging for the Soviet Union to impose different naming conventions.

In the case of Azerbaijan, the situation was more complex. While it is true that the majority of the population did not have surnames before Soviet occupation, there existed a minority of elites and wealthy individuals who bore surnames. These surnames, such as "Bakikhanovs" and "Taghiyevs," were not forcibly changed during the Soviet era. Additionally, some Azerbaijanis had surnames that varied depending on the language used, with different endings in Russian, Ottoman, Persian, and Azerbaijani sources.

Despite the exemptions in Georgia, Armenia, and the Baltic states, the Soviet Union's influence on naming practices in Azerbaijan and other countries was significant. The push for standardisation and the imposition of Russian suffixes had a lasting impact, even after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In recent years, there have been efforts in Azerbaijan to "de-Russify" family names, with some individuals choosing to remove the Russian endings or replace them with Azerbaijani suffixes.

Some Azerbaijanis have reclaimed their original surnames by removing the Russian endings or changing them to Azerbaijani suffixes

The use of surnames in Azerbaijan began in the 1900s during the Russian Empire's rule. Before this, Azerbaijanis were known by their respective clan or tribal names. During the Soviet occupation, most Azerbaijanis did not have surnames, and the minority that did were mostly from the elite/rich families. The introduction of surnames was part of the Soviet Union's Russification efforts, with surnames ending in "-ov" or "-yev" for males and "-ova" or "-yeva" for females, meaning "belonging to" in Russian.

Since Azerbaijan gained independence in 1991, many Azerbaijanis have chosen to reclaim their original surnames by removing the Russian endings or changing them to Azerbaijani suffixes. This process of "de-Russification" is seen as a way to remove the Russian element from their names and assert their Azerbaijani identity. Some have achieved this by simply removing the Russian endings, such as changing "Ismayilova" to "Ismayil". Others have replaced the Russian suffixes with Azerbaijani ones, such as changing "ov" or "ev" to "li". This change is especially significant as, in the Azeri language, the ending of surnames indicates which nation the person belongs to.

Elkhan Garibov, now Elkhan Garibli, was one of the first to challenge the Soviet system by reclaiming his Azerbaijani surname even before Azerbaijan regained its independence. He faced bureaucratic challenges and had to gather numerous documents, but he eventually succeeded in changing his surname and initiating similar changes for his friends and their newborn children.

While some Azerbaijanis have embraced the removal of Russian endings from their surnames, others have expressed mixed feelings. Some view the Russian suffixes as part of their history and identity, especially since they are unique to Azerbaijanis compared to other ethnic groups in the region. However, others strongly oppose retaining the Russian influence, considering it a remnant of oppressive imperial rule.

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