Hayr

Hayr is a proper noun used as a given name and surname in several Turkic-speaking and Arabic-influenced communities. It also appears as a place name in regions with historical Turkic influence. The form is sometimes anglicized or transliterated as Hayr, Heyr, or Khair depending on language and script.

Etymology and meaning: The root is associated with goodness, benevolence, or charitable acts in Arabic and Persian linguistic and literary traditions. In compound names, this root can express positive qualities or sacred connotations; for example, Hayreddin, a form often rendered as Khair al-Din, is interpreted as “goodness of the faith.” The name Hayr has appeared across centuries in Ottoman, Persianate, and Central Asian contexts.

Notable uses: The name has been borne by various historical and contemporary figures, including Hayreddin Barbarossa, the 16th-century Ottoman admiral and corsair, whose given name exemplifies the compound form. In modern times, Hayr continues to be used as a personal name or surname in parts of the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East, with transliterations adapted to local languages.

See also: Related names and variants include Khairuddin, Hayri, and other forms built from the same root meaning “good” or “benefit.”