
Map of modern Turkic language distribution
For these etymologies I relied on the writings of Hyun Jin Kim, linguist and author of The Huns, and Omeljan Pritsak, linguistic specialist in Turkic and Altaic languages. Given that the Hunnic language was most likely a Turkic language (specifically Oghuric Turkic, according to Kim), all of the following etymologies save for two, which rely on Mongolic stems, are Turkic. Although many Hunnic names were Gothicized/Germanicized, their origins are still in Turkic language.
Attila or Astila = universal ruler; from the old Danubian-Bulgarian title attil-; or great old sea, from the Turkic es, til, and -a; or, father, from the Turkic ata
Note: a pretty popular post going around about his name connects it back to the Gothic atta and the suffix -ila, thus giving it the meaning little father. While it’s true that some Hunnic names were Gothicized/Germanicized, this post is concerned with their origins as Turkic names.)
Balamber or Balamur (Hun ruler of Gothic legend) = greatest among the venturous; from Mongolic balamad and the Turkic suffix -mat
Basik (Hunnic noble) = governor; from Turkic Bârsiğ
Dengizich (son of Attila) = ocean-like, heavenly; from the Turkic teɲez and dêɲri; or, more simply, great lake
Donatus or Donat (Hunnic sub king) = horse; from Turkic yonat
Edeco (high-ranking ally of Attila) = good; from the Turkic ädgü or the Mongolic Edgü
Ellac (son of Attila) = to rule; from the Turkic el and lä
Emmedzur (relative of Attila) = horse lord; from Turkic title ämäcur
Hernac or Ernakh (youngest son of Attila) = small man, heroic man; from the Turkic ernäk
Karaton (Hunnic supreme king) = black cloak; from Turkic Qarâton
Kursik (Hunnic noble) = either noble; from Turkic Kürsiğ; or belt-bearer, from Qurŝiq
Mundzuk (father of Attila) = pearl/jewel; from the Turkic Munčuq
Oebarsius (brother of Mundzuk, uncle of Attila) = leopard of the moon, from Turkic Aıbârs; or a dun leopard, from the Altaic bars and the Turkic oy
Oktar or Uptar (brother of Mundzuk, uncle of Attila) = brave/powerful; from Turkic Öctär
Rua or Ruga = wise man, from the Altaic ögä
Uldin (Hunnic sub king) = six; from Turkic alti (given that the suffix -in was a Greek addition, and the true name was likely the shorter Uld/Ult)
