Etymology Map
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Turkmen

2 stages from Turkic to English.

Today it means a member of a Turkic people of Central Asia, mostly in Turkmenistan

Where does the word "turkmen" come from? It comes from Turkic Türkmen, adopted directly into English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
Türkmen
Turkic · medieval
"Turkmen"
used for the Oghuz nomads who converted to Islam
2
Stage 2 of 2
Turcoman
English · 1600s
"a Turkmen"
English traders and travellers used 'Turcoman'; 'Turkoman carpets' became prized in the West
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Turkmen’s story begins in Turkic: Türkmen meant “Turkmen.” Used for the Oghuz nomads who converted to Islam. It reached English by 1600s as Turcoman. English traders and travellers used 'Turcoman'; 'Turkoman carpets' became prized in the West. Today, turkmen means a member of a Turkic people of Central Asia, mostly in Turkmenistan.