Etymology Map
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Tengri

2 stages from Old Turkic to English.

Today it means the sky god of the ancient Turks and Mongols

Where does the word "tengri" come from? It comes from Old Turkic Täŋri, adopted directly into English (1900s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
Täŋri
Old Turkic · 700s
"sky, god"
the Orkhon inscriptions credit the khagans' power to Heaven, 'Täŋri'
2
Stage 2 of 2
Tengri
English · 1900s
"Turkic sky god"
'Tengrism', a revival of the old sky religion, gained followers in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan after 1991
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Read the full story

Tengri’s story begins in Old Turkic: Täŋri meant “sky, god.” The Orkhon inscriptions credit the khagans' power to Heaven, 'Täŋri'. It reached English by 1900s as Tengri. 'Tengrism', a revival of the old sky religion, gained followers in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan after 1991. Today, tengri means the sky god of the ancient Turks and Mongols.