Abstract
What is the origin of the word “Kazakh” and what does it mean? Researchers differ on this point. Inthe article, the author focuses on the meaning of the term “Kazakh” in medieval sources and its meaning.The word “Kazakh” is also analyzed in a number of studies based on the works of foreign researchers.The Kazakh word is presented in the domestic historiography as a double word, a term born from thecombination of two words, and according to foreign researchers, it is expressed in the form of a nounderived from a verb. The Kazakh word is represented in the sense of “Kazakhness”, robbery. Some Germanscholars have suggested that the word “Kazakh” has been used since the 15th century to refer toeven the aristocracy. In this article, the author focuses on the concept of “freedom-loving, independentperson” rather than the term “Kazakh” as “fugitive, homeless.” He also suggested that the term “Kazakh”should be more accurately defined as “struggle for the future, the struggle to strengthen the unity of thepeople” than “robbery, piracy.” Because, according to the author, almost all historical figures and historicalfigures who followed the path of “Kazakhness”, gradually became the founders of a new state.