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Turkish soap operas, long a staple of Russian television, appear to be changing how some Russian parents name their children.
Reports say newborns are being named after Burak Ozcivit and Neslihan Atagul, two of Türkiye’s best-known screen stars and the leads of the hit series "Kara Sevda" (Endless Love). Some families are reportedly ignoring gender conventions, giving girls the name Burak and boys the name Neslihan.
The trend goes beyond Turkish television. Some families are also choosing mythological or literary names such as Apollo, Odysseus, Scheherazade, Esmeralda and Oceana. Not everyone is convinced. Some argue that unusual names, especially ones that don’t match a child’s gender, could invite teasing as the children grow up.
The fascination with Turkish dramas also appears to be translating into real-life trips. Türkiye welcomed about 5.8 million Russian visitors in the first ten months of 2023, up by roughly 41% compared to the same period a year earlier.
Antalya, a favorite resort destination, drew 3.3 million Russian tourists that year—around 17.5% more than in 2022. While arrivals haven’t yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, the rebound is a welcome boost for Türkiye’s tourism industry.
Soap operas are only part of the story. Convenient flight connections, hassle-free travel arrangements, and Türkiye’s long-standing appeal as a holiday spot all play a major role. Still, the romantic, picture-perfect image of Türkiye on screen seems to give many travelers an extra reason to book.
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