 The Turkish word "dönme" is from the verbal root "dön-" () that means 'to turn', i.e., "to convert", but in a pejorative sense or 'turncoat'.They are also called "Selânikli" "person from Thessaloniki" or "avdetî" "religious convert" ().Members of the group refer to themselves as "the Believers" in Hebrew ( "ha-Ma'aminim"), or "sazanikos," Turkish for "carp" in reference to the changing outward nature of the fish.