kazi

Kazi is a term used as a title, given name, and surname in Muslim communities, particularly in South Asia and parts of the Middle East. Historically, it derives from the Arabic qadi, meaning judge, and was used for Islamic legal judges and jurists. In modern usage, Kazi also serves as a personal name or family name and can function as an honorific in some contexts.

In Bengali, Urdu, and other South Asian languages, the name is commonly transliterated as Kazi. Variants include Qazi, Qadhi, and Kadhi, reflecting differences in script and pronunciation across languages. In many communities, Kazi denotes a lineage associated with judicial or religious roles, and families bearing the surname Kazi may trace their origins to local courts or clerical positions.

Notable individuals with Kazi as part of their name include Kazi Nazrul Islam, a prominent Bengali poet and national figure in Bangladesh, and Kazi Salahuddin, a Bangladeshi footballer and administrator. Beyond these examples, the name appears across various professions in the Muslim world, reflecting its historical roots in law, governance, and cultural life.

See also Qazi, Kadı, and Qadi for related terms and transliterations. The usage of Kazi continues in contemporary naming practices, retaining its connection to historical functions in jurisprudence and religious scholarship.