14.12.2025 10:11
In the Yıldız neighborhood of Hatay, which has a population of 880, all residents carry the surname 'Yıldız.' To prevent confusion, the locals give newborns a second name or nickname.
In the Yıldız neighborhood, located 8 kilometers away from the center of Reyhanlı district in Hatay, approximately 880 citizens live. What makes 'Yıldız Mahallesi', which became a neighborhood last year after separating from Harran Mahallesi, stand out is that everyone living in the neighborhood has the surname 'Yıldız'.
THEY USE NICKNAMES TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER The residents of the neighborhood use a second name or nickname to recognize each other. The introduction of the Turkish Republic identity number has prevented confusion in official transactions. The fact that everyone, except for public officials such as the imam and teachers, has the same surname surprises newcomers to the neighborhood.
"MOST PEOPLE HAVE A SECOND NAME" Hasan Yıldız stated that to avoid confusion among the names of the residents, children are given double names, saying, "As Yıldız Mahallesi, we are a neighborhood with a population of 880. This neighborhood has been settled for about 250 years. Our ancestors have carried the surname 'Yıldız' since then. The surnames have continued as Yıldız. In this neighborhood, except for the imam and teachers, everyone has the surname Yıldız. Generally, there is no confusion.
To avoid confusion, most of the people living in the neighborhood have a second name. For example; Ahmet Furkan Yıldız, Ahmet Emin Yıldız, this way there is no confusion. We use a second name to avoid confusion. Teachers are very surprised at first. Since teachers work here for 5 to 7 years, they get used to it over time. We used to be connected to Harran Mahallesi, now we have become a separate Yıldız Mahallesi. In the past, there were confusions because second names were not used. In Reyhanlı district, our neighborhood is the only one with both the neighborhood and surname," he said.
"THERE ARE 50 OF ONE NAME, THAT'S WHY WE STARTED USING NICKNAMES" Expressing that they use nicknames to prevent confusion in names, resident Murat Yılmaz said, "My name is Murat Yıldız, and my nickname is Cemil Kermo Yıldız. Our ancestors settled here about 250 years ago. As time passed, our surname expanded. There used to be confusion, but it doesn't happen much now that we have identity cards. Nicknames were given to avoid confusion. For example; nicknames like Hasan Mehmet or Hasan Ahmet were given. Generally, there are 50 of one name, that's why we started using nicknames to avoid confusion. Except for the imam and teachers of the neighborhood, everyone has the surname 'Yıldız'. When they first arrive, there are many confusions. Until the teachers get used to the names, they call the children by their student numbers. For example, instead of calling Mehmet by his name, they call him number 26. Because when they say Mehmet, 10 people look."