How did the Uyghurs get their names?

The full name of a Uyghur is composed of the birth name and the father's name, with the birth name in front and the father's name in the back. There is no special surname. Use a spacer between the birth name and the father's name, such as "Aniwar Sadiq". Use your full name in written materials and writing, and only your given name in general situations.

Among the names of Uyghur people, some have some titles added to the end of their names, some of which mean good luck, and some of which show respect. For example, in places such as Yarkand and Zepu, "Yari" is added after men's names. "Yari" means happiness is with you or Allah is with you. In addition, men also like to add "Imam" after their names. "Imam" is Arabic, meaning teacher, and is also an honorific title for religious figures.

When using an honorific title, the person is generally called by his or her given name, not the father's name.

Extended information

"Uyghur" is the self-proclaimed name of the nation, which is generally believed to mean "unity", "union" and "assistance".

In different historical periods, Chinese documents have different translations of this clan name. It is called "Yuan He" in 4th century documents. In the late 6th century and early 7th century literature, he was called "Wei He". Before 788, it was called "Uihe" in literature. From 788 to the 1370s, they were called "Uighurs".

From the 1370s to the 1740s, they were called "Uighurs". From the 1640s to the early 20th century, it was called "Huibu" and "Maohui". The name "Uyghur" began in 1935 and has been used to this day.