Azerbaijan.US
A public debate has flared up in Azerbaijan over the use of the word “Azeri” and whether it is appropriate to apply it to Azerbaijanis.
The discussion gained momentum after a recent statement by a member of parliament, who argued that the term “Azeri” does not properly describe the population of Azerbaijan and historically refers to ethnic groups living in Iran. His remarks quickly sparked mixed reactions, drawing both support and criticism.
The debate has also revived earlier comments by Turkish historian İlber Ortaylı, who has said that there is no separate nation called “Azeri” and that the term entered widespread use during the Soviet period.
To gauge public sentiment, residents of Baku were asked how they view the issue.
Opinions varied sharply.
Some respondents rejected the term outright, saying it distorts national identity.
“We are Azerbaijanis, or Azerbaijani Turks. That is the correct definition. ‘Azeri’ is inaccurate,”
one resident said.
Others were more relaxed, arguing that the controversy is overstated.
“If it comes from the word ‘Azerbaijan,’ I don’t see a serious problem. Names matter less than who we are,” another interviewee noted.
Several participants pointed out that the term is widely used abroad, particularly in Turkey, and often causes irritation precisely because Azerbaijanis themselves use it inconsistently.
There were also more pragmatic views.
“Some say ‘Azeri,’ some say ‘Azerbaijani,’ some say ‘Azerbaijani Turk.’ For me, it’s not a major issue,” a resident said.
The street survey highlighted one clear point: questions of identity remain sensitive in Azerbaijani society, and consensus on terminology is still elusive.
