kartash

Kartash is a proper noun of Turkic origin used as a surname and as a toponym in Turkic-speaking regions. It is also encountered in contemporary literature and media as a fictional place name or surname.

The term is usually analyzed as a compound of kar meaning "black" and tash meaning "stone" or "rock." This composition is paralleled in related languages, with cognates such as qar taş or kara taş.

In toponymy, Kartash commonly indicates a place associated with dark rock or basalt quarries, and it is sometimes adopted as a surname by families originating from such localities. Variants include Kartash, Karteş, or Karthash, reflecting orthographic differences.

In modern fiction and media, Kartash is used as a place name or family name in worldbuilding, occasionally described as a town at the edge of a desert or a fortress built from dark stone. Real-world usage is limited and often localized.