Kazbek

Turkified version of the real name Kızbeç (Qizbech). From West Circassian Къызбэч (Qəzbɛč). The original Circassian name was famously borne by Qizbech Tughuzhuqo, one of the most prominent Circassian military commanders during the Russo-Circassian War. In Turkey, the name was often conflated with Mount Kazbek (Russian Казбек (Kazbek)) or altered to sound more familiar and avoid Kemalist bans on non-Turkish names, making it easier to pronounce.