According to Onur Akdogu it evolved from saybek, meaning "strong guardian" in old Turkic.[8] According to Paul Wittek it may evolved from the name "Salpakis Mantachias" used by the Byzantine historian Pachymeres for Mentesh Bey, who founded the Beylik of Menteşe in southwestern Anatolia.[9] The term "Kızan" is of Turkic origin and means "boy".[10] Kızan was generally used for newly recruited or inexperienced Zeybeks.