The rulers in the Steppe Turkish states have used various titles: Tan-hu (or Şan-yu), Kagan, kan (han), yangu, Il-teber, etc. The ones that were most widely used among these titles were khan (king) and kagan (emperor). The allegation stating that these titles were borrowed from the Mongolian Juan-juan State has become out-of-date.
Actually, it was evidenced that the title of "khan" has been used by the Turks since the 3rd century. The wife of Attila who was the European Hun ruler had also the title of "han" (khan) in her name such as : Arıg-kan. The title of Yabgu (ruler) was present since the period of Hun people. In the ceremony of the enthronement of the ruler, his wife would also take the title of katun (hatun= ruler's wife) and this title has also been known by the Turks since the period of Hun people. The hatun women had also been influential in the state. They would participate in the state council and they would receive the envoys although these receptions were formalities to some degree. Gok-Turk hatun women had also been present in the reception of the Chinese envoys in the years of 585 and 726. Since hatun women were the mothers of the would-be rulers, it was given importance to the characteristics of being the first wife and coming from a noble family (in other words, being Turks). Generally the eldest son would be appointed as the crown prince. In case that the crown princes were at a very young age, the enthronement of their paternal uncles was in compliance with the laws. The capital city in which the state rulers had dwelled was called as "ordu".