Etymology Map
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Agha

3 stages from Turkic to English.

Today it means a title for a military commander or chief official in the Ottoman Empire

Where does the word "agha" come from? It comes from Turkic aqa, passing through Ottoman Turkish before entering English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
aqa
Turkic · medieval
"elder brother"
a term of respect for a senior man; Mongolian has the same word
2
Stage 2 of 3
ağa
Ottoman Turkish · 1500s
"chief, commander"
the Agha of the Janissaries commanded the sultan's elite infantry corps
3
Stage 3 of 3
aga
English · 1600s
"a Turkish officer or chief"
used by travellers for Ottoman officers; the Shah of Persia granted the Ismaili imam the title 'Aga Khan' around 1818
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Read the full story

Agha’s story begins in Turkic: aqa meant “elder brother.” A term of respect for a senior man; Mongolian has the same word. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Ottoman Turkish as ağa. The Agha of the Janissaries commanded the sultan's elite infantry corps. It reached English by 1600s as aga. Used by travellers for Ottoman officers; the Shah of Persia granted the Ismaili imam the title 'Aga Khan' around 1818. Today, agha means a title for a military commander or chief official in the Ottoman Empire.