Boy name
Zülkarneyn name meaning
“possessor of two horns”
Zülkarneyn means “possessor of two horns” and comes from the Arabic expression Dhū l-Qarnayn. Dhū means “possessor,” while qarnayn is the dual form of qarn, meaning “horn.” In Türkiye, it is used as a masculine given name. The name evokes the Quranic figure whose journeys and construction of a barrier are described in Surat al-Kahf.
What does Zülkarneyn mean?
Possessor of two horns
In Turkish: iki boynuz sahibi
Zülkarneyn designates the figure whose journeys and construction of a barrier are recounted in the Quran’s chapter al-Kahf. The two horns have received several interpretations. Identification with Alexander has been influential historically, but the figure’s historical identity remains uncertain; those interpretations are distinct from the expression’s literal meaning.
Origin of the name Zülkarneyn
From Arabic Ḏū l-Qarnayn, composed of ḏū, “possessor of,” and qarnayn, the dual form of qarn, “horn.”
Names are shared across communities. Where a name is common says nothing certain about any one person’s background, faith or origin.
How to pronounce Zülkarneyn
| Syllables | 3 · 10 letters · 10-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /zylkaɾnejn/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | ذوالقرنين |
| Arabic | ذو القرنين |
Is Zülkarneyn a boy’s name?
Yes, Zülkarneyn is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
Zülkarneyn does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025).
FAQ about the name Zülkarneyn
What is the meaning of Zülkarneyn?
Zülkarneyn means “possessor of two horns”. From Arabic Ḏū l-Qarnayn, composed of ḏū, “possessor of,” and qarnayn, the dual form of qarn, “horn.”
Is Zülkarneyn a boy’s name?
Yes, Zülkarneyn is used mostly as a boy’s name.
What is the origin of the name Zülkarneyn?
Zülkarneyn is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Zülkarneyn have?
Zülkarneyn has 3 syllables and 10 letters.
How popular is the name Zülkarneyn?
Zülkarneyn 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: nm10997 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake