Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
The Persian Empire, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Indus River, is considered one of the most culturally advanced empires. Persian baby names act as the gateway into this empire's complex linguistic and political history. The ancient Persian language was basically an Indo-European language influenced by Italian, Russian, and English, with its own writing system. The Islamic conquests made Arabic the language of Persia. But later, the Islamized Persian rule revived Persian as the literary language. Thus Persian names may have Arabic, ancient Persian, and Turkish sources.
Persian names have unique meanings and are often inspired by characters from old Persian literature. From Arzhang to Afri to Dariush to Farhad, they are known to derive up to fifteen percent of their names from the epic poem Shahnameh written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi.
Another unique feature of these names is the lack of a middle name. Traditionally, the names of the Persian speakers residing in Iran consist of a first name and a family name. Parents give the first name to their child at the time of birth or on the sixth day. The family name is inherited from the father or mother. In modern times, Persian names have evolved to include toponymic family names and paternal surnames with suffixes like zadeh or zaden meaning ‘son-of.’ A Persian first or family name can have multiple parts but must be distinguished clearly as a first or last name.
Like several other cultures around the world, women in Persian families are allowed to retain their surnames after marriage. However, should they wish, they are allowed to add their husband’s name to their last name following a hyphen. In addition, Persian names, embodying advanced civilization, elegance, and royalty, have also been gaining extreme importance in the US. With so many beautiful Persian baby names, it could get a bit cumbersome and confusing for parents to select one. To ease your trouble, we have handpicked and curated a comprehensive list of Persian baby names with meanings to help you find all the best names for your child under one roof.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Arzu |  |  Girl | Desire; Wish |
| Ashkan | |  Boy | A Persian dynasty |
| Asman | | Boy | The Sky; Highest Heaven nearer to earth |
| Astrella | | Girl | A form of Esther; Star |
| Ata | | Boy | Gift; One of the twins; Ancestor; Predecessor |
| Ataa | | Boy | Gift; One of the Twins; Ancestor; Predecessor |
| Atal | | Boy | Hero; Leader; Guide |
| Atoosa | | Girl | Name of Kourosh's daughter |
| Atossa | | Girl | Name of Kourosh's daughter |
| Aurang | | Boy | Full of wisdom, understanding; A watercolor |
| Avaleigh | | Girl | A beautiful individual; Desired song |
| Avaley | | Girl | One who is pretty as a bird with sound |
| Avalie | | Girl | The one who has huge strength and desire |
| Avor | |  Unisex | Strong; Noble |
| Ayas | | Boy | To cause good to somebody; Morning breeze |
| Aytan | | Girl | Moonlike; Beautiful; Brilliant; Serene |
| Azadeh | | Girl | Dry earth; Detached; Free of material things; Noble |
| Azar | | Boy | Scarlet; Fire; Nineth month in Iranian calendar; Help |
| Azita | | Girl | Noble; High-born; Humble; Free; Name of an Iranian Princess |
| Azizah | | Girl | Dear; Beloved; Esteemed; Precious; Cherished |
| Azlee | | Girl | Noble; Exalted |
| Baaz | | Boy | Falcon |
| Baddar | | Boy | One who’s always on time; A punctual man |
| Badinjan | | Boy | Egg Plant |
| Baghish | | Boy | Light rain that affects just a small area. |
| Bahar | | Girl | Spring; Prime; Bloom; Beauty; Glory; Delight; Youth |
| Bahauallah | | Boy | One who is quiet, systematic and has an inventive mind |
| Bahiri | | Boy | Variant of Bahirun; A brilliant, lucid, and renowned person |
| Bahirun | | Boy | A brilliant, lucid, and renowned person |
| Bahman | | Boy | A person who has a content heart and good spirit |
| Bahnam | | Boy | A reputable and honorable person |
| Bahram | | Boy | Name of a Persian king; A character in Shahnameh |
| Baigum | | Girl | A title for high officials |
| Bakeet | | Boy | One who uplifts the mankind |
| Bakhit | | Boy | A fortunate and lucky man |
| Bakhita | | Girl | The fortunate one |
| Bakhshish | | Boy | Divine Blessing; Gift; Donation; To Tip; Present |
| Bakhtawar | | Boy | One who brings good luck; Fortunate; Lucky |
| Bakhtawer | | Boy | One who brings good luck; Fortunate; Lucky |
| Baksheesh | | Boy | A divine blessing |
| Bakshish | | Boy | Divine Blessing; Gift; Donation; To Tip; Present |
| Baksis | | Boy | Divine Blessing; Gift; Donation; To Tip; Present |
| Baksish | | Boy | Divine Blessing; Gift; Donation; To Tip; Present |
| Bano | | Girl | Girl; Lady; Princess; Bride |
| Baqer | | Boy | Man Of Knowledge |
| Baraz | | Boy | Exalted; High |
| Barbod | | Boy | Hero |
| Bardia | | Boy | The Prince |
| Barid | | Boy | Cloud |
| Barzin | | Boy | A character in Shahnameh |
| Bedel | | Boy | A servant or a messenger of people |
| Behdad | | Boy | Excellent Gift; Of Good Birth |
| Behrooz | | Boy | Fortunate; Lucky and compassionate being |
| Behruz | | Boy | Lucky; Prosperous; Success; Good; A variant name of Behrouz |
| Behzad | | Boy | Noble; High Born; Honorable |
| Bejul | | Boy | Jewel worn around the neck |
| Bejun | | Boy | Name of a Persian Boy King |
| Berin | | Girl | Blond and fair; Quick and active individual |
| Berina | | Girl | Best; Highest |
| Bihjan | | Boy | A person who is a hero |
| Bijan | | Boy | lonely place |
| Bijann | | Boy | He who is considered a hero; A legend among men |
| Bijon | | Boy | Ancient hero in the Persian language; A vairant of name Bijan |
| Bizhan | | Boy | A character in Shahnameh |
| Bolour | | Girl | A woman who is like a crystal |
| Borna | | Boy | He who is a youthful man |
| Burzin | | Boy | Exalted boy; Praised one |
| Buwayh | | Boy | Ancient Persian ruler |
| Camran | | Unisex | Shining; Radiant |
| Cas | | Boy | Treasure bearer; Imperial; Shield of God; Hollow |
| Caspar | | Boy | A man who guards the treasure |
| Caspara | | Girl | A keeper of treasure |
| Casper | | Boy | One who is a treasurer |
| Cem | | Boy | A born leader and a ruler |
| Chadi | | Boy | One filled with joy and happiness; a Capricon |
| Chamali | | Boy | The one who serves water |
| Changaz | | Boy | An extremely brave man |
| Changeez | | Boy | Adapted from Chengiz khan |
| Changez | | Boy | Variant of Chengiz Khan |
| Charlesh | | Boy | Chief of the tribe |
| Chashida | | Boy | An experienced man |
| Chavdar | | Boy | Derived from a Persian word meaning leader; Dignitary |
| Chawish | | Boy | Leader of the tribe |
| Chishti | | Boy | A Saint from Ajmer |
| Cye | | Boy | Sun; Majestic; Charming |
| Cyra | | Girl | Throne; Sun; Lord |
| Cyrus | | Boy | Sun; Lord |
| Daana | | Unisex | A knowledgeable person |
| Dahra | | Boy | Rich individual |
| Dalawar | | Boy | One who has heart |
| Damsa | | Girl | A silk of white color |
| Dara | | Boy | Wealthy; Possessor of good; Oak; Wise |
| Darakhshan | | Boy | Bright light |
| Dareh | | Boy | A rich person |
| Darejan | | Girl | Unique |
| Darejani | | Girl | Unique |
| Daria | | Girl | To possess |
| Darian | | Boy | Possessing goodness |
| Darien | | Girl | Royal gift |
| Darioush | | Boy | A healthy King |
Persian baby names represent the historical, cultural, and traditional Persian practices associated with naming babies. They are a reflection of the region's diverse heritage and ever-evolving identity. The religious and linguistic diversity of the region, along with the emphasis on familial bonds, has shaped the complex naming traditions of Persia. Though Persians continue to navigate the modern world easily, the traditional act of naming remains a deeply cherished practice. In an attempt to preserve the native roots, MomJunction has produced the above list of names that aims to ease the name selection process.
Infographic: Traditional And Pleasant Persian Baby Names
Persian names have their roots in the Persian language, which is a language that has existed for centuries. Therefore, it is not unsurprising to see these names reflect the history and cultural diversity of Persia. The following infographic details a few such elegant Persian names for you to consider for naming your baby.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Persian baby names mean lucky?
Bakhit, a transliteration of Bakheet and Bakhet, and Bakhtawar, derived from the Persian terms bakht and avar, means ‘fortunate’ or ‘lucky’ in Persian. Similarly, Behruz, an alternate transcription of Behrouz, and Parviz, a variant of Parvaiz and Parwiz, are some Persian baby names associated with luck, fortune, and happiness.
2. What Persian baby names mean angel?
Persian offers a variety of baby names that carry the meaning of angel. Fereshteh is a name that directly signifies 'angel.' Another option is Soroosh, which translates to 'messenger angel.' Lastly, we have the name Yazdan, which holds the dual meaning of 'god' or 'divinity' alongside 'angel.' These names beautifully represent the deep cultural heritage of the Persian language and the importance attributed to celestial entities.
3. What are some gender-neutral Persian baby names?
There are several gender-neutral Persian baby names to consider. Golshan means 'rose garden' and can be used for both boys and girls. Khurshid translates to 'shining sun' and is suitable for both genders. Dana means 'wise' and is a gender-neutral name in Persian and Arabic. These names offer a diverse and inclusive choice for parents seeking gender-neutral options in Persian culture.
4. What are some Persian baby names inspired by nature?
Persian nature-inspired names include Ziba (beauty), Parisa (fairy-like), Soroush (messenger), Darya (ocean), Arash (brilliant arrow), Bahar (spring), and Roya (dream). These names showcase the essence of Persian culture and its deep connection with the natural world.
5. What are some Persian baby names that are easy to pronounce in English?
Sara, meaning princess; Layla, symbolizing night; Darius, denoting good possessor; Rumi, originating from Rome; Amir, signifying prince; and Tara, representing a star, are some Persian baby names with English-friendly pronunciations. These names evoke meaning and cultural richness while remaining easily pronounceable in English.
6. What are some Persian baby names that have a deep spiritual meaning?
Persian names embody profound spirituality. Rumi, the renowned poet and mystic; Zahra, signifying radiance and blossoming; Sufyan, denoting a follower of mysticism; Parisa, resembling a fairy; and Cyrus, symbolizing the sun or throne. These names hold distinct spiritual significance within Persian culture.
7. What are some Persian baby names with historical significance?
Persian baby names of historical importance are Cyrus, honoring Cyrus the Great, Darius, paying homage to Darius the Great, Xerxes, commemorating Xerxes the Great, Farah, meaning "joy," linked to Queen Farah Pahlavi, and Rostam, a revered hero in Persian mythology.
8. What are some Persian baby names that have been popularized in Western culture?
Persian baby names like Aria, Cyrus, Darius, Esme, Layla, Leila, Nasir, and Zara have surged in popularity in the West. They embody Persia's vibrant heritage and are now widely embraced in Western societies, reflecting their cultural richness.
9. What are some Persian baby names that are derived from Arabic or Turkish?
Persian baby names like Zahra (flower), Layla (night), and Amir (prince) originate from Arabic, while Arman (desire), Leyla (night), and Selim (peaceful) have Turkish roots. These names embody the intertwined cultural and historical bonds among Persian, Arabic, and Turkish languages and customs.
10. What are some Persian baby names that are associated with positive traits or virtues?
Persian baby names embody strength, happiness, beauty, and love. Some examples are Bahram (Victorious), Farah (Joy), Parvaneh (Butterfly), Roshan (Bright), Mehr (Affection), and Nazanin (Delicate). These names reflect positive qualities and carry a profound message of optimism.
