Haci

Haci, written Hacı in Turkish, is a term used in Muslim-majority regions with related uses. It most commonly denotes a person who has completed the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, and thus carries the meaning of pilgrim or respected elder. The underlying Arabic root is ḥājj, from which other forms such as Hajji, Haji, and Hajj are derived.

In Turkish usage, Hacı functions both as a title and as a masculine given name or surname. When used as a name, it signals that the bearer or their family identifies with the honor associated with having performed the pilgrimage. The spelling Hacı reflects Turkish phonology, including the dotless i.

In other languages, equivalent titles exist, with local spellings such as Hajji or Haji in Arabic-derived contexts, and Haji or Hajjah in Malay and Indonesian usage for men and women, respectively. The name form also appears in various Balkan and Caucasian communities in forms such as Haxhi or Haxhiu, reflecting historical Turkish influence.

Usage of Haci/Hacı is generally respectful and traditional; in contemporary contexts, some people may choose to use or avoid religious honorifics in formal or professional settings.

See also: Hajj, Hajji (title).