Girl name
Banu name meaning
“lady, noblewoman”
Banu means “lady” or “noblewoman.” It comes from Persian bānū, a word used as a respectful form of address and a title for women. Used for girls in Türkiye, the name has a literary association with Banu Çiçek, a character in the Book of Dede Korkut.
What does Banu mean?
Lady, noblewoman
In Turkish: hanım, soylu kadın
Banu is a respectful title that also became an independent given name. It can accompany other names in Persian and Ottoman naming traditions; Banu Çiçek in the Dede Korkut stories provides a clear literary association, combining the title-like element with the name Çiçek.
Origin of the name Banu
From Persian bānū, meaning lady. The word has served as a respectful form of address and a title for women.
| Linguistic origin | Persian |
|---|---|
| In Turkic history and myth | Names from Turkic epics |
| Is Banu in the Quran? | No |
| Starts with | B · Ba |
Double names with Banu
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Banu Merih
Meaning of each name
- Banu: lady, noblewoman
- Merih: the planet Mars; the red planet
-
Meriç Banu
Meaning of each name
- Meriç: the name of the Maritsa River
- Banu: lady, noblewoman
-
Banu Ruheyv
Meaning of each name
- Banu: lady, noblewoman
- Ruheyv: Moon-faced; with a moonlike face
-
Zelal Banu
Meaning of each name
- Zelal: clear, limpid, transparent
- Banu: lady, noblewoman
-
Banu Hividar
Meaning of each name
- Banu: lady, noblewoman
- Hividar: hopeful; possessing hope
-
Nazmiye Banu
Meaning of each name
- Nazmiye: relating to verse or poetic arrangement
- Banu: lady, noblewoman
How to pronounce Banu
| Syllables | 2 · 4 letters · 4-letter girl names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /banu/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | بانو |
Is Banu a girl’s name?
Yes, Banu is used mostly as a girl’s name. In our data, 1% of bearers are male. See all girl names.
Banu does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 94 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Spellings covered by this page: Bânu
Names that sound like Banu
Names with related meanings
Famous people named Banu
- Banu Alkan · b. 1958
- Banu Avar · b. 1955
- Banu Güven · b. 1969
- Banu Cennetoğlu · b. 1970
- Banu Kırbağ · b. 1951
- Banu Onaral · b. 1949
- Banu Sıvacı · b. 1987
- Banu Atabay · b. 1969
- Banu Aydın · b. 1977
- Banu Birecikligil · b. 1970
- Banu Kanıbelli · b. 1966
- Banu Kuday · b. 1972
FAQ about the name Banu
What is the meaning of Banu?
Banu means “lady, noblewoman”. From Persian bānū, meaning lady. The word has served as a respectful form of address and a title for women.
Is Banu a girl’s name?
Yes, Banu is used mostly as a girl’s name. In our data, 1% of bearers are male.
Is Banu in the Quran?
No. Neither the name Banu nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name Banu?
Banu is of Persian origin.
How many syllables does Banu have?
Banu has 2 syllables and 4 letters.
How popular is the name Banu?
Banu does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 94 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
What are other spellings of Banu?
Other spellings: Bânu.
What names go well with Banu?
Some ideas: Banu Merih; Meriç Banu; Banu Ruheyv.
Famous people named Banu?
Notable people named Banu include Banu Alkan, Banu Avar, Banu Güven.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm00759 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake