Editing Mongols (section)

== Definition ==
Broadly defined, the term includes the Mongols proper (also known as the [[Khalkha Mongols]]), [[Buryats]], [[Oirats]], the [[Kalmyks]] and the Southern Mongols. The latter comprises the [[Abaga Mongols]], [[Abaganar]], [[Aohans]], Arkhorchin, [[Asud]], [[Baarins]], [[Chahars]], Darkhan ([[Shar Darkhad]]), Dörvön Khüükhed, [[Eastern Dorbet]]s, [[Gorlos Mongols]], Ikhmyangan, Jalaids, Jaruud, [[Kharchin Mongols|Kharchins]], [[Khishigten]], [[Khorchin Mongols|Khorchins]], Khuuchid, Muumyangan, [[Naimans]], Onnigud, [[Ordos Mongols|Ordos]], Sunud, [[Tumed]], [[Urad Mongols|Urad]] and [[Üzemchin Mongols|Üzemchins]].{{sfn|Ochir|2008}}

The designation "Mongol" briefly appeared in 8th century records of [[Tang dynasty|Tang China]] to describe a tribe of [[Shiwei people|Shiwei]]. It resurfaced in the late 11th century during the [[Khitan people|Khitan]]-ruled [[Liao dynasty]]. After the fall of the Liao in 1125, the [[Khamag Mongol]]s became a leading tribe on the [[Mongolian Plateau]]. However, their wars with the [[Jurchen people|Jurchen]]-ruled [[Jin dynasty (1115–1234)|Jin dynasty]] and the [[Tatar confederation]] had weakened them.

In the thirteenth century, the word Mongol grew into an umbrella term for a large group of [[Mongolic languages|Mongolic-speaking]] tribes united under the rule of [[Genghis Khan]].<ref name="britannica">{{cite encyclopedia
 | title = Mongolia: Ethnography of Mongolia
 | url = https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-27420/Mongolia#394579.hook
 | encyclopedia = [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]
 | access-date = 2007-07-22
 | archive-date = 2008-07-06
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080706041059/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-27420/Mongolia#394579.hook
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref>

=== Etymology ===
{{See also|Mugulü}}
There are several proposals for the ethnonym Mongol's etymology:
* A [[Language change|change]] from ''Mongkhe-[[tengri]]-gal'' ("Eternal Sky Fire");<ref>National University of Mongolia, School of Social Sciences, Department of History (1999). "2. Хүний үүсэл, Монголчуудын үүсэл гарвал" [2. Origins of Humanity; Origins of the Mongols]. Монгол улсын түүх [History of Mongolia] (in Mongolian). Admon. pp. 67–69.</ref>
* A derivation from the personal name, transcribed in Chinese-language sources as {{lang|zh|木骨閭}} '''Mùgǔlǘ''' (from [[Middle Chinese]] *''muwk-kwot-ljo''), of the [[Mugulü|progenitor]] of [[Rouran Khaganate]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Сүхбаатар|first= Гүнжийн|title=Монголын эртний түүх судлал, III боть |year=1992 |volume=3 |pages=330–550 |language=mn |trans-title=Historiography of Ancient Mongolia, Volume III |chapter=Монгол Нирун улс |trans-chapter=Mongol Nirun ([[Rouran]]) state}}</ref>