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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Soheil |  |  Boy | Level; Even; Star |
| Sohrab | | Boy | One who is a hero; A living legend |
| Somaieh | |  Girl | One who is high above others |
| Sooria | | Girl | To be like a red rose |
| Soraya | | Girl | Rich; Princess |
| Soroush | | Boy | He who is a happy man |
| Soulmaz a persian | | Girl | A woman who never wilts |
| Souri | | Girl | A girl who is like a red rose |
| Soussan | | Girl | She is as beautiful as the lily flower |
| Suraa | | Girl | A woman of great power and strength |
| Surai | |  Unisex | Wakefulness; Extremely beautiful |
| Suraya | | Girl | A woman precious as a jewel |
| Suri | | Girl | Princess; Red rose; Noblewoman; Sage; Sun |
| Suria | | Girl | To be like a red rose |
| Sury | | Girl | She is like the Red Rose |
| Syrus | | Boy | Throne; Lord |
| Tabinda | | Girl | Bright and shining |
| Tabnak | | Boy | Hot too much appealing |
| Tahib | | Boy | Observing someone or something closely |
| Tahirih | | Girl | Morally good or excellent |
| Tahmaseb | | Boy | Name of character in Shahnameh |
| Tahmores | | Boy | Resembling a strong wild dog |
| Taimur | | Boy | Iron; As strong as an iron |
| Tajbakhsh | | Boy | Protector of the king |
| Tajwar | | Boy | King who is crowned; Who has the power; The ruler |
| Talina | | Girl | Delicate; Graceful; Unique |
| Tamaz | | Boy | Georgian form of Tahmasp; Strong; Brave and valiant |
| Tamerlan | | Boy | A man of iron |
| Taraneh | | Girl | A song |
| Tarja | | Girl | Upholder of good |
| Tawana | | Girl | A capable woman |
| Tayyebeh | | Girl | A good deed |
| Tehran | | Unisex | Capital city of Iran |
| Temuri | | Boy | Iron |
| Tiam | | Unisex | Goddess of the primordial ocean |
| Tigran | | Unisex | Shooting or fighting with arrows |
| Tirdad | | Boy | A character in Shahnameh |
| Tooraj | | Boy | A brave man; Founder of Turan, Central Asia from Persian mythology Shahnameh |
| Touca | | Girl | Out of a birds name Toucan |
| Touran | | Boy | The land or Tur; An ancient Persian kingdom |
| Turan | | Girl | The land or place of Tur |
| Turandot | | Girl | Name of the beautiful daughter of Turan |
| Turkessa | | Girl | The one who comes from Turkey |
| Vakhtang | | Boy | Wolf-bodied |
| Vardo | | Girl | Rose |
| Varten | | Boy | Rose giver |
| Veeda | | Girl | Found; Evident |
| Waaiz | | Boy | Preacher; Advisor |
| Warqah | | Boy | A dignitary in the Quran |
| Wasifah | | Girl | One who describes |
| Wejah | | Girl | She who practices purdah |
| Wuhaib | | Boy | A gift; Present |
| Xerxes | | Boy | Powerful ruler |
| Yahya | | Boy | The almighty is gracious |
| Yalda | | Unisex | longest night |
| Yar | | Boy | A companion or friend |
| Yashar | | Girl | Upright; Just |
| Yaslin | | Unisex | Honest; Beautiful |
| Yasmina | | Girl | Jasmine flower |
| Yasmine | | Girl | Jasmine flower |
| Yasna | | Unisex | Pure; Clear; Noble |
| Yegane | | Girl | A woman of incomparable beauty |
| Zadan | | Unisex | Prosperous; Successful |
| Zade | | Unisex | Growth; Increase |
| Zafar | | Boy | Victorious or triumphant |
| Zaheed | | Unisex | Unique, impactful, leader |
| Zakani | | Unisex | Intelligent; Wise |
| Zakariya | | Boy | God has remembered |
| Zamani | | Unisex | Time; Eternity |
| Zan | | Unisex | Woman; Lady; Mountain |
| Zaraan | | Boy | Strength; Protector; Courageous |
| Zarafshan | | Girl | Spreader of gold; One who spreads happiness |
| Zaran | | Unisex | Golden or shining |
| Zari | | Unisex | Golden, shining, beautiful |
| Zarina | | Unisex | Golden, princess-like, radiant |
| Zarine | | Girl | Golden; Made of gold |
| Zarish | | Unisex | Shining, radiant, princess-like |
| Zaroon | | Unisex | Bright and shining; Full of light |
| Zaryab | | Boy | Rich; Wealthy; Liquid Gold; Colloidal gold |
| Zaul | | Unisex | One who stops, prevents |
| Zaylin | | Unisex | Creative; Intuitive; Imaginative |
| Zeba | | Girl | Beauty, elegance, splendor |
| Zerin | | Boy | Golden |
| Zeshan | | Unisex | Gift from God |
| Zethan | | Boy | Unique; Strong; Mysterious |
| Zhavia | | Girl | Perspective |
| Zircon | | Unisex | A type of mineral stone used as a gem |
| Zoro | | Unisex | Warrior, brave, skilled |
| Zubeen | | Boy | Something that touches the sky |
| Zuhal | | Unisex | Saturn |
| Zurab | | Boy | Illustrious; Shining; Red water; Georgian form of Sohrab |
| Zurie | | Unisex | God's rock |
| Zylia | | Unisex | Creative; Ambitious; Independent |
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.
