Khay

Khay is a proper noun that may refer to multiple uses in different languages and regions. It is found as a given name, as a surname, and as a toponym for places in various countries. The exact origin and meaning vary by context.

As a given name, Khay occurs in several linguistic communities, including Arabic, Persian, Turkic, and parts of Southeast Asia. It can be an independent given name or a short form of longer names. Etymologically, some sources link Khay to the Arabic root kh-y-r, associated with goodness or benefit, though the connection is not universal and transliteration differences complicate the picture. Pronunciation varies with language, leading to different stresses and vowel quality.

As a surname, Khay is relatively uncommon but appears in diaspora communities and in areas where given-name-based naming practices have been adopted as family names. In such cases, the surname typically reflects broader regional naming traditions rather than a single, uniform origin.

Geographically, Khay occurs as a place name in several countries, where it designates villages, districts, or neighborhoods. In each instance the etymology aligns with local languages and historical naming patterns.

See also: related names and variants such as Khayyam or Khaya, depending on transliteration and regional spelling conventions.