The general who received his name from Genghis Khan after admitting he shot Temujin’s horse was Jebe.
Jebe was originally named Jirqo’adai, or Zurgaadai, and served among forces opposed to Temujin. During the Battle of the Thirteen Sides in 1202, an arrow struck Temujin’s horse in the neck. After victory, Temujin asked who had fired the shot, and Jirqo’adai openly confessed.
Rather than execute him, Temujin valued his honesty and archery skill, recruited him, and gave him the name Jebe. The Mongolian word is commonly explained as “arrow” or “weapon,” making the new name a fitting reference to the incident.
Jebe later became one of Genghis Khan’s most daring commanders. He led major campaigns in northern China and Central Asia and, with Subutai, took part in the famous reconnaissance expedition that reached the Caucasus and defeated Rus’ and Cuman forces at the Kalka River in 1223.