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In the Civril district of the western Turkish province of Denizli, Halil and Ese Nazli Cetin have raised a large family whose members carry names drawn from Central Asian Turk culture, epic tales, and historical figures, as the couple says they want to keep a sense of Turkic history alive through all 12 of their children.
Living in the Igdir neighborhood and running a marble factory he established there, 63-year-old Halil Cetin has been interested in Turkish history since his youth and said this passion has shaped how he named his children.
The family, originally from Afyonkarahisar, moved to Civril over six decades ago, and Halil and his wife married in 1984 before building up a household that now includes eight sons and four daughters whose ages range from late teens to around forty.
Cetin explained that he chose the names “Oguzhan, Ilbilge, Aybike Halime, Hazercan Nese, Alper Tunga, Aybars Pusat, Selenge Senem, Ramazan Kursat, Alperen Koray, Kurtcebe Noyan, Subutay Noyan, and Borubars Sancar,” saying that they were inspired by Turkish epics, mythology, and historical characters.
Residents of Civril say they know the family both because it is large and because the children’s names stand out, while people who do business with the family and social media users also show interest in the unusual combinations.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Cetin noted that he describes himself as a person coming from a nationalist and “ulkucu” background and said he grew up with that set of values. He recalled that he read many history books several times until he finished high school and that this long-standing interest led him to look for names rooted in Turkish history when each of his children was born.
He said he preferred names that he believes have secured a place in historical memory and that are associated with respect, adding that he always opted for Turkish names. Emphasizing how he feels about this heritage, he stated, “We are one of the oldest nations in the world. I am proud of our past.”
Ese Nazli Cetin said she feels happy to be the mother of 12 children and noted that she never objected to the names her husband proposed when each child arrived. She explained that she did not tell him not to choose those names and that she now takes pride in all of her children, adding that each one has settled into their own work and life.
Nineteen-year-old Subutay Noyan Cetin, one of the younger members of the family, said carrying an old Turkish name makes him feel different in daily life. He pointed out that people are often surprised when they first hear his name and that it sounds unusual to many of them, yet he stressed that this reaction does not unsettle him.
Subutay Noyan said he feels a sense of pride when he introduces himself and that he is pleased with the choice his father made for him, adding that compared with other names, he feels his own carries a particular weight.
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