Kyrgyzstan Promotes Traditional Names in De-Russification Effort
Kyrgyzstan’s Nurlanbek Turgunbekovich Shakiev, a well-known figure in the country for over two decades, recently made headlines by legally changing his last name to Turgunbek uuly. This move aligns with a new bill in Kyrgyzstan promoting traditional Kyrgyz last names and offering a wider choice of surnames in line with national customs.
The trend of styling surnames in accordance with national tradition has seen a resurgence in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries. This revival comes amidst changing sentiments following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has stirred opposition among many in the region.
In the early 2000s, a wave of Kyrgyz citizens shed Russian-style suffixes in favor of Kyrgyz endings for their last names. The recent bill gives citizens various options for patronymics and surnames reflecting national customs, along with the freedom to choose Russified last names if preferred.
Tajikistan stands out as the only country in Central Asia to officially prohibit Russian-style last names and promote “pure” Tajik first names. Other countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have laws allowing citizens to adopt names tied to their national traditions, with varying degrees of adoption among their populations.
Central Asia is also witnessing efforts to change Soviet-era names of geographical locations, a move that has faced pushback from Moscow due to its continued influence in the region. A new wave of returning to original names in recent years has been linked to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, with some seeing it as a step towards restoring national identity.
While some embrace the shift towards traditional names, others face challenges in adapting to new naming conventions, as seen in the experiences of individuals like a Tajik student in Russia. Official figures show a mix of preferences among Kyrgyz nationals, with some opting for national surnames while others choose Russified last names.
As Central Asia navigates this resurgence of traditional naming practices, it reflects a broader cultural and identity movement in the region amidst geopolitical shifts and historical influences.
