Banu

Banu (also spelled Bano) is a Persian feminine name derived from بانو (bānū), meaning "lady". The term carries connotations of nobility, often extending to "grand lady", "princess", or "queen". Primarily used in Iran and other Persian-speaking regions, the name has also spread to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. In South Asia, particularly in Tamil and Telugu, a similar-sounding name Bhanu, meaning "sun" in Sanskrit, is sometimes simplified to Banu. Notable bearers include Nurbanu Sultan (1525–1583), wife of Ottoman Sultan Selim II, and contemporary figures like Turkish actress Banu Alkan and journalist Banu Avar.