Nihat is a Turkish given name for males. It is believed to derive from Persian نهاد (nehād), meaning "nature, disposition." However, in modern Turkish, the name is often interpreted as "legacy" or "heritage." The name reflects the influence of Persian on Turkish culture and language, common among Ottoman-era names. Several notable individuals bear the name Nihat. Nihat Erim (1912–1980) was a Turkish politician and journalist who served as Prime Minister of Turkey. Nihat Kahveci (born 1979) is a former footballer known for his time with Real Sociedad and the Turkish national team. Other notable bearers include Nihat Akbay (1945–2020), a footballer; Nihat Hatipoğlu (born 1955), an academic and theologian; and Nihat Doğan (born 1976), a musical artist. The name is also shared by Azerbaijani footballer Nihat Mammadli (born 2002). Nihat is exclusively a masculine name in Turkish, reflecting its cultural roots. Variants or related forms are uncommon outside Turkic contexts. Meaning: possibly "nature, disposition" (Persian); "legacy" (Turkish) Origin: Persian via Turkish Type: First name Usage regions: Turkey, Azerbaijan