Deniz (given name)

Deniz is a Turkish given name meaning "sea". It is used for both females and males.

Originally, Deniz was a masculine name. In a Turkish legend, the oldest Turkish ruler (Khan) Oğuz had six sons. They were Ay-Han (moon Khan), Gök-Han (sky Khan), Deniz-Han (sea Khan), Yıldız-Han (star Khan), Gün-Han (sun Khan) and Dağ-Han (mountain Khan).

Today, Deniz is a unisex name.

First name

 * Deniz Aslan (born 1989), Turkish footballer
 * Deniz Aycicek (born 1990), Turkish-German footballer
 * Deniz Aydoğdu (born 1983), Turkish footballer
 * Deniz Aytekin (born 1978), German football referee of Turkish descent
 * Deniz Barış (born 1977), Turkish footballer
 * Deniz Baykal (1938–2023), Turkish politician
 * Deniz Baykara (born 1984), Turkish footballer
 * Deniz Bozkurt (born 1993), Turkish-Puerto Rican footballer
 * Deniz Çakır (born 1982), Turkish film and television actress
 * Deniz Çınar (born 1984), Turkish yacht racer
 * Deniz Dimaki (born 1977), Greek triathlete
 * Deniz Doğan, German footballer
 * Deniz Ertan (born 2004), Turkish swimmer
 * Deniz Gezmiş (1947–1972), Turkish political activist
 * Deniz Hakyemez (born 1983), Turkish volleyball player
 * Deniz Hümmet (born 1996), Turkish footballer
 * Deniz Kadah (born 1986), Turkish footballer
 * Deniz Kandiyoti (born 1944), Turkish feminist academic
 * Deniz Khazaniuk (born 1994), Israeli tennis player
 * Deniz Kılıçlı (born 1990), Turkish basketballer
 * Deniz Koyu (born 1985), Turkish-German DJ and electronic dance music producer
 * Deniz Kurtel, Turkish artist and electronic musician
 * Deniz Kuypers, Dutch-American writer
 * Deniz Mujić (born 1990), Austrian footballer of Bosnian descent
 * Deniz Naki (born 1989), German footballer
 * Deniz Nazar (born 1980), Ukrainian-born Turkish swimmer
 * Deniz Orhun (born 1974), Turkish-American chef, media personality and businesswoman
 * Deniz Seki (born 1970), Turkish pop singer
 * Deniz Tek, Australian rock musician of Turkish descent
 * Deniz Türüç (born 1993), Dutch-Turkish footballer
 * Deniz Undav (born 1996), German footballer
 * Deniz Yılmaz (born 1988), Turkish footballer
 * Deniz Yücel (born 1973), German-Turkish journalist

Middle name

 * Damla Deniz Düz (born 1995), Turkish water polo player
 * Dilan Deniz Gökçek, Turkish football referee
 * Nazlı Deniz Kuruoğlu (born 1960), Turkish ballet dancer and former beauty contestant

Fictional characters

 * Deniz, in Follow Kadri, Not Your Heart