Eylül

Etymology

Eylül is a Turkish feminine given name that directly translates to "September" in Turkish. The name derives from Arabic aylul, which itself is borrowed from Syriac aylûl, ultimately from Akkadian Ululu, referring to the harvest month. In Turkish, months are commonly used as personal names, particularly for girls, reflecting nature and the passage of time.

Cultural Significance

The name Eylül evokes the autumn season, often associated with harvest, change, and beauty in Turkish culture. Naming girls after months is a modern trend in Turkey, distinct from traditional religious names, yet widely accepted.

Notable Bearers

Several Turkish women named Eylül have gained public recognition in recent years:

• Eylül Akarçeşme (born 1999), a professional volleyball player who competed for clubs in the Turkish Women's Volleyball League.
• Eylül Aslan, a photography artist known for her works exhibited in Istanbul and internationally.
• Eylül Cansın (1992–2015), a transgender woman whose death by suicide prompted widespread activism for LGBT rights and equality in Turkey.
• Eylül Elgalp (born 1991), a footballer who played as a defender for several Turkish women's football teams.

These bearers span sports, arts, and social activism, highlighting the increasing popularity of this seasonal name.

Linguistic and Related Forms

Eylül has no common variant within Turkish, but it shares its root with the names of months in other Semitic languages. It is related to names like Eylülcü, though rare. In English, equivalents include September, but as a name it is almost exclusively Turkish.

• Meaning: September
• Origin: Turkish (ultimately from Akkadian)
• Type: Feminine first name
• Usage regions: Turkey