Umay

Umay is one of the most mythologically significant names in the entire Turkic naming tradition. In the pre-Islamic religion of the ancient Turkic peoples — a shamanistic belief system sometimes called Tengrism — Umay was the great mother goddess, second in importance only to Tengri, the sky god. Umay was believed to dwell in the heavens and descend to earth to protect newborn children and their mothers during and after childbirth. She was depicted as a radiant, winged figure associated with light, fertility, and life. Ancient Turkic and Old Uyghur inscriptions, including the famous Orkhon inscriptions of the 8th century, contain references to Umay, confirming her central role in early Turkic religious life. The Orkhon Inscriptions — among the oldest known Turkic written records — explicitly invoke Umay alongside Tengri as divine protectors of the Turkic royal lineage. This makes Umay one of the very few Turkish names that can be traced to verified historical inscriptions over 1,200 years old. In modern Turkey, the name has enjoyed a revival among families who value pre-Islamic Turkic heritage and seek names of authentic historical depth. It shares the realm of mythological significance with names like Tomris, the legendary Saka queen, and Tuğrul, referencing the sacred bird. Umay is a name that connects a child to the oldest layers of Turkic civilization.