Kagan is a name of Turkish origin, derived from the Turkic element "kagan," which means "king" or "ruler." The term "kagan" was originally used as a title for the supreme ruler in the Göktürks Empire during the sixth century.
In Turkey and other Turkic-speaking countries, Kagan has been used as a masculine given name. It is considered to be a strong and powerful name due to its meaning. In some cases, it may also be used as a surname.
While not widely popular outside of Turkey, the name Kagan has gained some recognition in recent years due to famous individuals who bear this name, such as Kagan Kaufmann, a German entrepreneur, and Kagan Gökmen, a Turkish footballer. However, its usage remains relatively uncommon compared to other names of similar origin.
In terms of history, the earliest known use of the name Kagan was as a title for rulers in the Göktürks Empire. The empire was founded by Bumin Khan around 552 AD, and his son, Issik Khan, adopted the title "kagan" after defeating the Western Turks. After this, the title became hereditary among the successors of Issik Khan.
Today, Kagan is often considered a modern name with ancient roots, reflecting its historical significance as well as its strong meaning. Despite not being widely known outside of Turkic-speaking regions, it remains an important and meaningful name in Turkey and other parts of Central Asia.
The name Kagan appears to have had fluctuating popularity over time, with a notable spike in the mid-1990s.