 He uses the honorific title Arkadag, meaning "protector" in the Turkmen language.Berdimuhamedow was born on 29 June 1957 in Babarap, in what is now the Geok Tepe "etrap" ("district") of Ahal Province, to Mälikguly Berdimuhamedowiç Berdimuhamedow (born 12 August 1932) and Ogulabat Ataýewna Kürräýewa.He is the only son in a family of six children.