Surname Gökcen - Meaning and Origin

Gökcen: What does the surname Gökcen mean?

The last name Gökcen is a Turkish word derived from the Turkish word "Gök" which translates as "sky" or "heaven".

It may have originated from those associated with a celestial deity or with those who held spiritual reverence for the sky and its power. In this case, Gökcen would mean "descendant of the sky".

In addition to its possibly religious origin, Gökcen appears to have a geographical origin. It's believed that the name Gökcen was used to identify people from geographical regions where the sky was considered an important part of the natural environment, or as a metaphor linking the family to the sky in some way. Families bearing this name were likely found in places like Central and Eastern Anatolia, where vast and diverse landscapes offered a seemingly infinite supply of blue sky.

Gökcen is also a common surname in northern Cyprus, where its original meaning is connected to a geographic area known as Gökçen.

Finally, Gökcen was adopted as a surname in some parts of Greece during the time of the Ottoman Empire. In this case, it was used both to indicate descent from a particular Turkish family or to indicate an ancestor who had long been associated with the sky in some way. In either case, it's clear that the last name Gökcen has deep roots that span across Turkey, Cyprus, and Greece.

Gökcen: Where does the name Gökcen come from?

The surname Gökcen is still common in areas of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and northern Iraq today. Gökcen is a Turkish name that means sky or sky center, derived from the Turkish words "Gök" and "Cen". Due to the Turkic presence in the area, both the name and its variants (Goksen, Goksun, and Goksan) remain found in many of the local populations scattered from Zazas in northeast Turkey to Kurds in northern Iraq.

Throughout the Kyrgyz region of Central Asia, Gökcen is consistently found in areas such as Kars and Iğdır in Turkey. The Turkish-speaking nomadic populations like the Kurbat, Yörük, Çingene, and Sarıkeçili who came from the east during the 17th and 18th centuries, form one of the largest ethnic groups in this region of Turkey.

The surname is also widely used in regions of Azerbaijan, particularly in the Zengezur District, where the majority of the population is of Azerbaijani Turkic descent. Just as in Turkey, these nomadic populations, including the Qarapapaqs, Terekemes, and Anabolur, brought the name Gökcen along with them in migration centuries ago, its use has since been admired and passed through generations.

In modern times, Gökcen is also commonly found in northern Iraq. There is a substantial Shiite Turkmen population who has adopted the name, and it is often used in places like Tal Afar, Mosul, and along the Syrian border today.

Overall, the surname Gökcen remains popular today in Turkey, Azerbaijan, and northern Iraq, especially among nomadic populations whose roots and histories are more deeply entwined with the name and its variants.

Variations of the surname Gökcen

The surname Gökcen is of Turkish origin. It is composed of two components: Gök, which means “sky”, and cen, meaning “dweller”. The name thus means “the one who dwells on the sky”.

Variants of this surname include Gökçen, Gökçin, Gokcin, Goksen, and Goksenli.

The most common variant is Gökçen, which is the most common spelling of the surname in Turkey. Gökçin is an alternative spelling that is sometimes used, and is a safer bet when writing the surname on an international platform.

Spellings outside of Turkey may differ from the language of origin. Gokcin, Goksen, and Goksenli are all variants of the surname seen used in western countries, as Turkish language symbols and letters do not carry over well in other styles of writing. These spellings are all pronounced similarly to Gökçen, and may be used interchangeably.

Surnames with the same roots as Gökçen may also exist. Variants such as Gökken, Gök and Gok do not necessarily indicate blood relation, but may indicate a similar linguistic origin.

Gökcen is a surname with linguistic roots that go back centuries. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin open up the possibility for more research into the historical significance and origin of the name itself.

Famous people with the name Gökcen

• Turkish aviation pioneer Sabiha Gökçen: Sabiha Gökçen is a Turkish aviation pioneer and the world's first female combat pilot. Nicknamed the "First Ottoman Pilot" by the Turkish public, she actively served in the Turkish Air Force for many years.
• Ecevit Gökçen: Ecevit Gökçen is a Turkish actor and television presenter. He is the nephew of Sabiha Gökçen and was named after former Turkish Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit.
• Sinan Gökçen: Turkish businessman Sinan Gökçen is the founder of YGA and president of his alma mater, Galatasaray High School. He is a mentor to many entrepreneurs, inspiring them to take risks and create value with their ideas.
• Akrep Nalkası: Tarkan Gökçen is a Turkish rapper known by his stage name Akrep Nalkası. His musical style combines elements of rap, rock, and classical Turkish folk and is heavily influenced by rap artist Eminem's signature sound.
• Deniz Gökçen: Harem scarem vocalist and keyboard player Deniz Gökçen is credited with creating the band's unique sound. His solo album, "Real Life Rebellion", is considered the pinnacle of his artistic achievements and is still highly praised throughout the music world.
• Kaan Gökçen: Kaan Gökçen is a professional Turkish footballer who currently plays for his hometown team, ManisaSP. He is most known for his creative style of play and his ability to score from long range.
• Mucahit Gökçen: Mucahit Gökçen is a Turkish bass guitarist and composer. He has released several albums and collaborated with artists such as the model-turned-singer Ece Uslu and the band Orient Expressions.
• Borna Gökçen: Borna Gökçen is the president and founder of the Center for Global Engagement, a non-profit organization that encourages young people in Turkey to become active global citizens and leaders.

Other surnames

GökceGökcek