Türkiye Soyadları A sourced dictionary of Turkish surnames

SURNAMEEntry 3,338

Manav

Manav /maˈnav/

“greengrocer”1

Disputed origin Manav: root entries for manav · How do we know?

Published: Last updated:

Letters / syllables
5 / 2
Formation
Plain noun
Vowel harmony
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Initial
M
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How do you pronounce Manav?

Manav

IPA /maˈnav/

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

What does the surname Manav mean?

A manav is a greengrocer, or the shop where fruit and vegetables are sold. The origin of the word is not clear. Wiktionary, citing Marek Stachowski, notes that the initial m- does not fit Turkish; Nişanyan’s dictionary suggests it may come from the name of a group associated with vegetable growing in the southern Marmara region, while stressing that this is not certain.1

The origin is disputed. The views put forward are:

  1. Nişanyan: possibly from the proper name Manav, a group in the southern Marmara region; not certain.
  2. Wiktionary (Stachowski): of unclear origin; an exchange with Balkan languages is discussed.

Manav is also an ordinary word in everyday Turkish.

What is Manav made of?

Manav is a single root: manav (greengrocer).

Manav root manav greengrocer UNKNOWN manav “greengrocer;greengrocer’s shop” Manav manav root greengrocer manav UNKNOWN “greengrocer; greengrocer’s shop”
Manav: parts and root words
  • manav unknown — greengrocer; greengrocer’s shop1

How was the name Manav formed?

Manav is the word manav (“greengrocer”), 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 Manav?

  1. Özkan Manav composer 1967–
  2. Alper Nesip Manav researcher
  3. Cemre Manav researcher
  4. Vildan Manav researcher

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

How is Manav written and pronounced abroad?

Manav uses only letters shared with English, so the spelling stays the same abroad.

Which surnames have a meaning similar to Manav?

Aktar, Kavuncu and Paçacı share gloss keywords with Manav within the same primary category.

Which guides add context to Manav?

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

Where do these facts come from?

All sources accessed 8 November 2026

  1. 1 Sevan Nişanyan Nişanyan Sözlük: manav
  2. 2 Wikimedia Vikisözlük: manav
  3. 3 Wikimedia Wiktionary: manav
  4. 4 Wikimedia Foundation Wikidata: people with this family name
  5. 5 T.C. Resmî Gazete / Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi (mevzuat.gov.tr) Soyadı Kanunu (Kanun No. 2525)

Common questions about Manav

Q1

What does the surname Manav mean?

A manav is a greengrocer, or the shop where fruit and vegetables are sold. The origin of the word is not clear. Wiktionary, citing Marek Stachowski, notes that the initial m- does not fit Turkish; Nişanyan’s dictionary suggests it may come from the name of a group associated with vegetable growing in the southern Marmara region, while stressing that this is not certain.
Q2

How do you pronounce Manav?

Ma·nav, 2 syllables; IPA: /maˈnav/.