Zaur

Zaur is a masculine given name used in the Caucasus region and among its diaspora. It is especially common among Chechen, Dagestani, Azerbaijani and Georgian communities. The name appears in Russian- and Turkish-speaking populations as well, due to shared cultural and linguistic links in the region.

Etymology and meaning: The exact origin is uncertain. In some Caucasian contexts it is treated as an autonomous given name with unclear semantic content. In others it is viewed as a shortened form of longer names such as Zaurbek, Zauran, or Zaurkhan, though this is not universal. Some linguistic sources discuss possible Turkic roots, while others see it as a distinct local name without a single agreed meaning.

Usage: Zaur is used across different ethnic groups in the North Caucasus and in Azerbaijan, frequently appearing in contemporary naming, including among younger generations. It is commonly transliterated from Cyrillic Заур or from local scripts.

Notable bearers: Several public figures in sports, politics and culture bear the name in Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, reflecting its regional prominence. However, no single figure dominates the association with the name across cultures.