SURNAMEEntry 3,498
Nesin
“‘what are you?’”1
Published: Last updated:
- Letters / syllables
- 5 / 2
- Formation
- 1934 coinage
- Vowel harmony
- front
- Initial
- N
Cite and share
How do you pronounce Nesin?
The stress usually falls on syllable 2 (marked). In everyday Turkish, stress in surnames varies by speaker and region.
What does the surname Nesin mean?
Nesin is the question “what are you?”: the interrogative ne “what” with the second-person ending -sin. The writer Aziz Nesin explained that he chose this surname in 1934 so that, whenever he was addressed, he would reflect on what he was.1
Grammar ne “what” + 2nd-person singular copula -sin
That Nesin goes back to ne is probable rather than proven: the dictionary entry cited supports it.
How was the name Nesin formed?
Nesin was formed by adding the suffix -sin (“second-person singular copula “you are””) to ne (“ne: what”).
How is Nesin written and pronounced abroad?
The name has no Turkish-specific letters and is written Nesin abroad as well.
Which guides add context to Nesin?
Read the root, formation and register information for Nesin alongside these guides: How Turkish Surnames Are Formed: Roots and Suffixes and How to research a Turkish surname and family tree.
Where do these facts come from?
- 1 Wikimedia Wikipedia: Aziz Nesin
- 2 milliyet.com.tr milliyet.com.tr: aziz-nesinin-ilginc-soyadi-oykusu-52589
- 3 T.C. Resmî Gazete / Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi (mevzuat.gov.tr) Soyadı Kanunu (Kanun No. 2525)
Common questions about Nesin
- Q1
What does the surname Nesin mean?
- Nesin is the question “what are you?”: the interrogative ne “what” with the second-person ending -sin. The writer Aziz Nesin explained that he chose this surname in 1934 so that, whenever he was addressed, he would reflect on what he was.
- Q2
What is the origin of the surname Nesin?
- The root word of Nesin is ne (Turkic): ‘interrogative “what”’.
- Q3
How do you pronounce Nesin?
- Ne·sin, 2 syllables; IPA: /neˈsin/.