önder

Önder is a Turkish given name and, less commonly, a surname. In Turkish, önder means “leader” or “pioneer,” and the term has historically been used to denote someone who leads or guides others. As a name, it carries a positive connotation of leadership and initiative.

As a male given name, Önder is common in Turkey and among Turkish-speaking communities worldwide. In contexts that do not preserve diacritics, the name may be rendered as Onder. The spelling with the umlaut over the O is characteristic of Turkish orthography, while the form without the umlaut appears in international records or adaptations.

There are many individuals named Önder who have achieved prominence in various fields, including sports, politics, the arts, and academia, within Turkey and among the Turkish diaspora. The name is widely used across generations and remains a common choice for boys.

Variants and related usage reflect Turkish naming practices that favor meanings connected to leadership, guidance, and initiative. While primarily a given name, Önder can also appear as a surname in some cases, reflecting the common practice of using descriptive or aspirational words as family names.

See also: List of Turkish given names.