Boy name
Şefkat name meaning
“protective affection, tenderness, compassion”
Şefkat means protective affection, tenderness, or compassion. It comes from Arabic shafaqa through Ottoman Turkish and is used as a masculine name in Türkiye. The word also remains part of everyday Turkish vocabulary; the image of caring for an injured animal illustrates its protective meaning.
What does Şefkat mean?
Protective affection, tenderness, compassion
In Turkish: koruyucu sevgi, sevecenlik, merhamet
Şefkat emphasizes the protective side of affection and the wish to avoid causing hurt. Turkish uses it in contexts of care, closeness and mercy. It is related in meaning to abstract names such as Sevgi and Merhamet, while suggesting warmth and attentive concern as well as pity.
Origin of the name Şefkat
Şefkat derives from Arabic shafaqa, expressing compassionate concern or tenderness. It entered Turkish through Ottoman usage.
How to pronounce Şefkat
| Syllables | 2 · 6 letters · 6-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /ʃefkat/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | شفقت |
| Arabic | شفقة |
Is Şefkat a boy’s name?
Yes, Şefkat is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
Şefkat does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 1 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Şefkat
Names with related meanings
- Ensar♂Helpers, supporters
- Abdurrahman♂Servant of the Most Merciful
- Semih♂Generous, open-handed and tolerant
- Rahmi♂Associated with mercy and compassion
- Mazlum♂Someone subjected to oppression or injustice
- Şefik♂Compassionate, affectionate, caring
- Rafet♂Compassion
- Atıf♂Compassionate
- Rahim♂Deeply merciful, compassionate
- Abdürrahim♂Servant of God, the Merciful
- Rauf♂Deeply compassionate and merciful
- Raif♂Compassionate
Famous people named Şefkat
- Şefkat Çetin · b. 1954
FAQ about the name Şefkat
What is the meaning of Şefkat?
Şefkat means “protective affection, tenderness, compassion”. Şefkat derives from Arabic shafaqa, expressing compassionate concern or tenderness. It entered Turkish through Ottoman usage.
Is Şefkat a boy’s name?
Yes, Şefkat is used mostly as a boy’s name.
Is Şefkat in the Quran?
No. Neither the name Şefkat nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name Şefkat?
Şefkat is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Şefkat have?
Şefkat has 2 syllables and 6 letters.
How popular is the name Şefkat?
Şefkat does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 1 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Famous people named Şefkat?
Notable people named Şefkat include Şefkat Çetin.
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: nm03888 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake