bek

Bek is a term found in Turkic languages with historical and modern uses. Historically, bek was a title applied to local rulers, tribal leaders, or officials in parts of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Anatolia. The word is cognate with the titles beg and bey, and appears in a range of medieval and early modern sources across Turkic and Persian-speaking cultures. Regional variations in rank and function meant that a bek could act as a provincial administrator, military commander, or trusted envoy, depending on time and place.

In modern usage, bek survives mainly as a personal name or surname in Turkish and other Turkic-language communities. It can appear as a standalone given name or as part of compound names, and the root also contributes to vocabulary such as bekçi, meaning guard or watchman, reflecting the historical association with guarding or overseeing tasks.

The term is largely historical in official contexts today, though it remains part of cultural and linguistic heritage in the regions where Turkic languages are spoken.