Timur means “iron”. It comes from Turkic. It is documented as a boy's name in Kazakh and also used in Turkish, Tatar and Bashkir.
- Timur is a name of Turkic origin.
- It is recorded for Turkish, Kazakh, Tatar and Bashkir.
- 2 syllables (counted from the spelling) and 5 letters.
What does Timur mean?
Literal meaning
Timur (Тимур) is a Kazakh boy's name recorded both on Wiktionary and in the KazPER name list. Wiktionary traces it to *temür ‘iron’ (Proto-Turkic in origin), which gives the meaning “iron”.[1]
Also glossed as “iron”[1]Likely
Timur in Turkish, Kazakh, Tatar and Bashkir
What does Timur mean in Turkish?
In Turkish the name is written Timur. No separate Turkish gloss is recorded, so the general meaning “iron” applies. It is recorded as a boy's name.
What does Timur mean in Kazakh?
In Kazakh the name is written Тимур, Tıymuwr (Wiktionary romanization) and Timur (common romanization). No separate Kazakh gloss is recorded, so the general meaning “iron” applies. It is recorded as a boy's name.[1,2]
What does Timur mean in Tatar?
In Tatar the name is written Тимур and Timur (common romanization). No separate Tatar gloss is recorded, so the general meaning “iron” applies. It is recorded as a boy's name.
What does Timur mean in Bashkir?
In Bashkir the name is written Тимур and Timur (common romanization). No separate Bashkir gloss is recorded, so the general meaning “iron” applies. It is recorded as a boy's name.
Where does the name Timur come from?
Turkic, native word. From Turkic.Editorial (Meaning from TurkicNames' editorial research; not yet linked to a cited source.)
Proto-Turkic, borrowing. Ultimately from Proto-Turkic *temür (“iron”), now chiefly in honor of Tamerlane.[1]Likely
- demir “iron”, from Proto-Turkic (Kazakh темір, Kyrgyz темир)
Which languages use the name Timur?
Timur is used as a given name in Turkish, Kazakh, Tatar and Bashkir. Its origin is Turkic and Proto-Turkic. The table shows for each language whether the use is documented by a cited source or comes from our editorial research.
Timur across Turkic languages
| Language | Spelling | Gender | Meaning in this language | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish | TimurLatin | Boy | same as above: “iron” | Editorial |
| Kazakh | ТимурCyrillic | Boy | same as above: “iron” | Documented[1,2] |
| Tatar | ТимурCyrillic | Boy | same as above: “iron” | Editorial |
| Bashkir | ТимурCyrillic | Boy | same as above: “iron” | Editorial |
Similar spellings in different languages do not prove a shared origin: two languages can arrive at the same sound from different words. The origin section above states what the sources say.
Spelling variations of Timur
Forms are shown as recorded, in their original script. Romanizations and rule-based conversions are labelled with their system and are not presented as attested spellings.
| Form | Language | Script | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Тимур[1,2] | Kazakh | Cyrillic | Native spelling |
| Timur[2] | Latin spelling | Latin | Romanization (KazPER English romanization) |
| Timur[2] | Latin spelling | Latin | Variant |
| Тимур[2] | Russian-language spelling | Cyrillic | Variant |
| Timur | Turkish | Latin | Native spelling |
| Tıymuwr[1] | Kazakh | Latin | Romanization (Wiktionary romanization) |
| Timur | Kazakh | Latin | Romanization (common romanization) |
| Тимур | Tatar | Cyrillic | Native spelling |
| Timur | Tatar | Latin | Romanization (common romanization) |
| Тимур | Bashkir | Cyrillic | Native spelling |
| Timur | Bashkir | Latin | Romanization (common romanization) |
Names related to Timur
Sibling names for Timur
Names recorded for the same languages that start with a different letter, so two children are not mixed up. Names that share a meaning theme or an element with Timur rank first. Siblings do not have to match; these are only ideas.
- BektemirBoy“iron lord”same language (kazakh) · also shares the element demir
- KhantemirBoy“khan (ruler over various Turkic and Mongol peoples in the Middle Ages) + iron”same language (kazakh) · also shares the element demir
- BaitemirBoy“rich iron”same language (kazakh) · also shares the element demir
- AitemirBoy“moon + iron”same language (kazakh) · also shares the element demir
- DemirhanBoy“iron khan”same language (turkish) · also shares the element demir
- ShyntemirBoy“real, true, truthful + iron”same language (kazakh) · also shares the element demir
- YessentemirBoy“safe; peaceful + iron”same language (kazakh) · also shares the element demir
- ZhantemirBoy“iron soul”same language (kazakh) · also shares the element demir
Common questions about Timur
What does the name Timur mean?
Timur means “iron”. It comes from Turkic. It is documented as a boy's name in Kazakh and also used in Turkish, Tatar and Bashkir.
Is Timur a girl's or a boy's name?
Timur is recorded as a boy's name. By language: Turkish: boys; Kazakh: boys; Tatar: boys; Bashkir: boys.
Where does Timur come from?
Timur is of Turkic and Proto-Turkic origin according to our origin records. Read the origin section above for the sources.
Which languages use Timur?
Timur is recorded for Turkish, Kazakh, Tatar and Bashkir. The table shows each language's spelling, gender and evidence label, and a language is listed only when our data records the name for it.
How is Timur spelled in other scripts?
Recorded spellings: Тимур (Cyrillic), Timur (Latin). Romanizations and rule-based conversions are labelled as such in the spelling table.
How many syllables does Timur have?
Timur has 2 syllables by our approximate count of vowel groups in the spelling, and 5 letters. Pronunciation can differ by language.
Sources
Numbers in the text point to these sources. The descriptions on this page are written by a fixed template filled only with the stored source facts; source texts are not copied.
- Wiktionary contributors. Wiktionary entry “Тимур”. Wikimedia Foundation, revision 90232116. Accessed 2026-10-28. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Supports: classified as Kazakh given names, Kazakh male given names; etymology: Ultimately from Proto-Turkic *temür (“iron”), now chiefly in honor of Tamerlane.; listed as a Kazakh given name; Kazakh given-name entry Тимур (+1 more)
- Rustem Yeshpanov. KazPER Kazakh person-name list. Accessed 2026-10-28. Licence: CC BY 4.0.
Supports: listed in KazPER; KazPER lists Тимур; spelling Timur recorded in KazPER Kazakh person-name list; KazPER English spelling Timur (+1 more)
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