Khaan
/ˈχaːŋ/noun
A Mongolian title meaning sovereign, ruler, or emperor.
Did you know?Khaan is the modern Mongolian form of the title often rendered in English as Khan, famously used by Chinggis Khaan.
Etymological Timeline
6th–8th Century
Old Turkic
qağan
“A supreme ruler or imperial sovereign among Turkic peoples.”
8th–13th Century
Middle Turkic
qağan
“The highest imperial title, used by rulers of steppe empires.”
13th Century
Middle Mongolian
qaγan
“Great khan or emperor; the title adopted by Mongol rulers.”
13th–17th Century
Classical Mongolian
qaɣan / ᠬᠠᠭᠠᠨ
“Khan or emperor, written in the traditional Mongolian script.”
Modern Mongolian
Mongolian
хаан (khaan)
“King, sovereign, or emperor; the long vowel distinguishes the modern Mongolian form.”
Modern English
English
Khaan
“A transliteration of the Mongolian title, especially in names such as Chinggis Khaan.”