The city of Khoy, one of the oldest Turkic cities in West Azerbaijan, is also called "Khoy Chokhuru" due to its location in a low-lying plain. Khoy holds exceptional significance in the history of Turkey, the Turkic world, and the Alevi-Qizilbash faith. Its name is closely linked to major historical events such as the Seljuk campaigns against Byzantium, and to prominent figures like Abdal Musa (founder of the Bektashi order), Akhi Evren (founder of the Akhi brotherhood), and poets such as Pir Sultan Abdal and Jahan Shah Qaraqoyunlu. Additionally, the first Azerbaijani Turkish poetic dictionary, Tohfe-ye Hosam, was written by Hosam Khoyi in this city.

Etymologically, the name "Khoy" is of Turkic origin, related to ancient Turkic words such as "Qoy/Quy" (meaning valley, lowland, depression) and "Quyu" (well, pit). It is also connected to "Qoyaq" (deep valley between mountains), "Qoytu" (secluded, shaded place), and "Qoyun" (lap, bosom). In Northeastern Turkic languages, forms like "Kuy" (cave) and "Xuy" (bottom of a valley) appear. Some scholars associate the name with ancient toponyms mentioned in Assyrian and biblical texts, such as "Olkhu," "Huyehveh," and "Huyileh."

Official and incorrect interpretations that derive Khoy from Persian (from "Khay" meaning sweat), Kurdish (meaning salt marsh), or Armenian (meaning ram) lack scientific basis, as the people of Azerbaijan have never spoken these languages, and such claims contradict historical, linguistic, and cultural realities. Consequently, "Khoy" is an authentic Turkic word meaning "low-lying valley" or "wind-sheltered place," which perfectly corresponds to the region's natural geography—surrounded by high mountains and situated in a low-altitude plain.