Surname Gülsen - Meaning and Origin

Gülsen: What does the surname Gülsen mean?

The last name Gülsen is a popular Turkish surname that is becoming increasingly common in modern societies. The name is derived from the Turkish word "gül", meaning "rose," which symbolizes beauty, love, and joy. Gülsen literally translates to "from the rose".

This surname is traditionally associated with the Ottoman Empire, which was a powerful political entity that was active in Anatolia, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East for centuries. The Ottomans were known for their humility, grace, and strength in battle, and these values are represented by the namesake flower.

The Gülsen surname is still deeply entrenched in Turkish culture today and is used to honor the values associated with the Ottoman Empire. It is a popular choice for families who want their children to be connected to Turkish history and their ancestors' commitment to strength, beauty, joy, and love.

The Gülsen surname also ties its bearers to a larger Turkish national identity and is a popular choice among many Turkish families today. Being a bearer of this surname is a reminder of the strength, honor, and cultural history rooted in the endurance and spirit of the Ottoman Empire.

Gülsen: Where does the name Gülsen come from?

The last name Gülsen is mainly found in Turkey today, where it is among the top 300 last names. The name Gülsen has historically been associated with Turkish-speaking communities, and more recently seen in other countries as Turkish people have spread throughout the world. Gülsen is a Turkic surname derived from the word gül, which means “rose” or “flower” in Turkish.

Gülsen is especially common in large cities in western Turkey such as Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, and Eskisehir. According to Turkish statistical research, Gülsen is the 78th most common surname in the country, with around 13,750 Turkish citizens bearing the name.

The name is used less in other countries, though Gülsen families appear around the globe, such as in Germany, Sweden, the United States, and Australia. In the US, Gülsen families are particularly found in Texas, California, and New York, with a population of about 500 individuals.

The surname Gülsen is often given to boys and girls when they are born, though people may choose to change it later on. In 2020, more families are choosing to adopt alternative spellings, such as Gulsen and Goolsen, especially among immigrant communities.

Variations of the surname Gülsen

Gülsen is an Ottoman Turkish/Azerbaijani patronymic surname, derived from the given name Gül, meaning “rose” in Turkish and other Turkic languages. It is common among Turkic people of the former Ottoman Empire. Variations of the surname include Gülsün, Güllü, Gullu, Gülu, Guliyev, and Güllüoglu.

Gül has been used as a given name among Turkic peoples since as early as the Ottoman period, especially during the 19th century, when it became one of the most widespread given names among women, and women were traditionally referred to with a diminutive form such as Gülüm or Gülçin. Thus, the surname Gülsen was likely adopted to signify family connections, such as that someone was the son or daughter of a woman known as Gülüm, Gülü or Gülçin.

Similar surnames may also exist in other parts of the Turkic world. In Uzbekistan, for instance, Gülsen is believed to have developed from the given name Guljon. Other variants include Gülson, Gülsun, Gülson, Gülshon, Gülsonov, Gülsonova, and Gülshanova.

The spelling variations of the surname can also depend on the region. For instance, Gülsen is spelled Güllüoglu in western Azerbaijan, while in other regions of the Turkic world, it is spelled as Gulluoglu, Gulloglu, Guloglu, and Güllüoğlu.

In the wider Turkic world, Gülsen may give rise to other surnames as well, such as Guliye and Gülye.

Thus, variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin may vary widely within the Turkic world. However, regardless of the spelling or variant, Gülsen usually carries the same meaning: "son of Gül" or "daughter of Gül".

Famous people with the name Gülsen

• Fahrettin Gülsen: Fahrettin Gülsen was a Turkish public figure and a revolutionary who fought for his country during the War of Independence. He was also an actor, playing in notable roles in Turkish films such as Kaç Yaşındasın (What Age Are You).
• Haluk Gülsen: Haluk Gülsen is an award-winning actor and producer who has starred in several television series and films throughout his career including the international hit flick "Klasikler." He has also worked as a presenter for Turkish TV talk show "Net Gözleyin."
• Emel Gülsen: Emel Gülsen is a Turkish-American singer, songwriter, and pianist known for her covers of popular songs as well as her own compositions. She has released several critically acclaimed albums, and her songs have reached millions of listeners worldwide.
• Fatma Gülsen: Fatma Gülsen is a Turkish blogger, speaker, and video maker known for her thought-provoking video essays. She earns a living by creating digital content on her Youtube channel where she has over 500,000 subscribers.
• Kadem Gülsen: Kadem Gülsen is the current head coach of the Turkey women's national basketball team. Before that, he was an assistant coach for the men’s team and men’s national under-20. He has helped the Turkey in winning several tournaments including the FIBA U19 World Championship in 2017.
• Hadi Gülsen: Hadi Gülsen is a Turkish soccer player who currently plays for the Turkish Süper Lig team Alanyaspor. He is known for his technical abilities and wide range of passing, and has won several awards for his performances including the Turkish League's "Best 2018-2019 Player" award.

Other surnames

GülsevenGülsever