Türkiye Soyadları A sourced dictionary of Turkish surnames

SURNAMEEntry 530

Asaf

Asaf /aːˈsaf/

“Hebrew name; the wise vizier”1

Probable origin Asaf: root entries for Asaf · How do we know?

Published: Last updated:

Letters / syllables
4 / 2
Formation
Plain noun
Vowel harmony
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Initial
A
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How do you pronounce Asaf?

Asaf

IPA /aːˈsaf/

The stress usually falls on syllable 2 (marked). In everyday Turkish, stress in surnames varies by speaker and region.

What does the surname Asaf mean?

Asaf is a male name of Hebrew origin, corresponding to the biblical Asaph. In Islamic tradition it is known through Asaf ibn Barkhiya, the wise vizier of Solomon, and so in Ottoman literature “Âsaf” became a term of praise for able, wise viziers. In Turkey it is a male given name.1

Grammar A personal name used as a surname.

That Asaf goes back to Asaf is probable rather than proven: the dictionary entry cited supports it.

What is Asaf made of?

Asaf is a single root: Asaf (male name of Hebrew origin).

Asaf root Asaf male name of Hebreworigin OTHER Asaf “male name of Hebreworigin; Asaph” Asaf Asaf root male name of Hebrew origin Asaf OTHER “male name of Hebrew origin;Asaph”
Asaf: parts and root words
  • Asaf Other — male name of Hebrew origin; Asaph1

How was the name Asaf formed?

Asaf is the word Asaf (“male name of Hebrew origin”), taken unchanged as a surname.

Shared note · 1934Surnames became compulsory with Surname Law No. 2525 of 21 June 1934.5

Who are some well-known people named Asaf?

  1. Hale Asaf painter 1905–1938
  2. Özdemir Asaf poet 1923–1981
  3. Osman Asaf painter 1868–1935

People surnamed Asaf as recorded in Wikidata, ordered by the number of Wikipedia language editions.

Is Asaf also a first name?

Yes. Asaf is given as a first name too, carrying the same sense: “Hebrew name; the wise vizier”.

Asaf as a first name: meaning and statistics — turkiyenames.com →

Which surnames have a meaning similar to Asaf?

Ademoğlu, Abbasoğlu and Arifoğlu share gloss keywords with Asaf within the same primary category.

Which guides add context to Asaf?

Read the root, formation and register information for Asaf alongside this guide: How to research a Turkish surname and family tree.

Where do these facts come from?

  1. 1 Wikimedia Wiktionary: Asaf accessed 8 November 2026
  2. 2 Wikimedia Vikisözlük: asaf accessed 8 November 2026
  3. 3 Wikimedia Wiktionary: Asaf accessed 8 November 2026
  4. 4 Wikimedia Foundation Wikidata: people with this family name accessed 8 November 2026
  5. 5 T.C. Resmî Gazete / Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi (mevzuat.gov.tr) Soyadı Kanunu (Kanun No. 2525) accessed 8 November 2026
  6. 6 turkiyenames.com Türkiye İsimleri (turkiyenames.com) accessed 9 November 2026

Common questions about Asaf

Q1

What does the surname Asaf mean?

Asaf is a male name of Hebrew origin, corresponding to the biblical Asaph. In Islamic tradition it is known through Asaf ibn Barkhiya, the wise vizier of Solomon, and so in Ottoman literature “Âsaf” became a term of praise for able, wise viziers. In Turkey it is a male given name.
Q2

What is the origin of the surname Asaf?

The root word of Asaf is Asaf (another language): “male name of Hebrew origin; Asaph”.
Q3

How do you pronounce Asaf?

A·saf, 2 syllables; IPA: /aːˈsaf/.