The article analyzes the word "Kazakh" from a linguistic point of view and finds out that it is used in two different terms. Linguistic facts and finds prove that the name "Kazakh" appears by the 9th-10th centuries, and the word "Kazakh" is established as an ethnic term that has shaped language, art, culture, military power, the basis for building a strong state. The root of the word "Kazakh" is associated with the semantics of the words Uisin, Khun, Turkic. This is confirmed on the basis of the language of ancient and medieval Turkic inscriptions. On the basis of research and historical data related to the origin of the word "Kazakh", attention is drawn to the features characteristic of the Kazakh people. In addition, the word "Kazakh" is recognized as a term reflecting nationality. It is proved that the essence of the nation is preserved in the language, the analysis of linguistic data reflecting the essence of the Kazakh nation is carried out.