Unisex name
İstikbal name meaning
“the time ahead; reception”
İstikbal means the time ahead or reception. It comes from Arabic istiqbāl and is used for both girls and boys in Türkiye. Its future meaning is especially established in Turkish. The expression İstikbal göklerdedir, meaning the future is in the skies, connects it concretely with aviation.
What does İstikbal mean?
The time ahead; reception
In Turkish: gelecek zaman; karşılama
İstikbal denotes the time still to come and the possibilities that lie ahead. Older usage also preserves the sense of receiving or welcoming. As a name, it foregrounds the idea of the future; despite its similar sound, İstiklal has a different root and meaning.
Origin of the name İstikbal
The name comes from Arabic istiqbāl, a formation connected with facing or receiving. In Turkish, its especially established sense is the future.
How to pronounce İstikbal
| Syllables | 3 · 8 letters · 8-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /istikbal/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | استقبال |
Is İstikbal a boy’s or a girl’s name?
İstikbal is used for both boys and girls. See all unisex names.
İstikbal does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025).
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like İstikbal
Names with related meanings
- Eylül♀September
- Esila♀Late afternoon
- Ramazan♂The ninth lunar month, observed through fasting
- Esra♀Night journey
- Leyla♀A name associated with night and darkness
- Recep♂The honored seventh month of the lunar calendar
- Songül♀The last rose
- Bahar♀Spring, the season of renewal
- Devran♂The passage of time
- Ömür♀Lifespan
- Şevval♀The tenth month of the Hijri year
- Çağlar♂Flows vigorously
FAQ about the name İstikbal
What is the meaning of İstikbal?
İstikbal means “the time ahead; reception”. The name comes from Arabic istiqbāl, a formation connected with facing or receiving. In Turkish, its especially established sense is the future.
Is İstikbal a boy’s or a girl’s name?
İstikbal is used for both boys and girls.
Is İstikbal in the Quran?
No. Neither the name İstikbal nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name İstikbal?
İstikbal is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does İstikbal have?
İstikbal has 3 syllables and 8 letters.
How popular is the name İstikbal?
İstikbal does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025).
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: nm07329 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake