Persian and Iranian Given Names: Origin, Meaning, and Selection

Linguistic Roots: Farsi and the Difference from Arabic

When searching for Iranian given names, you often encounter a mix of Persian and Arabic names. It helps to understand the linguistic background: Persian (Farsi) belongs to the Indo-European language family. Historically, it is linguistically closer related to German or English than to Arabic, which is part of the Afroasiatic language family.

Due to geographical proximity, shared religion, and the use of the Arabic alphabet (supplemented by four Persian letters), there are many names of Arabic origin in Iran today, such as Ali, Reza, or Fatima. In contrast, purely Persian names often stem from pre-Islamic times, ancient Persian history, or classical Persian literature. A central work for naming is the "Schāhnāme" (Book of Kings) by the 11th-century poet Ferdowsi, which features numerous mythological and historical figures whose names are still given today.

Persian and Iranian Names at a Glance

The following list shows a selection of names established in the Persian-speaking world. For each name, it is indicated how reliably the derivation is documented and whether there are overlaps with other languages.

Names for Girls

• Darya: This name traces back to the Persian word for "sea" or "ocean." Independently of this, Darya also exists in Russian as an established spelling variant of Daria. Daria, in turn, derives from the Old Persian male name Darius.
• Farah: Farah is a name of Arabic origin that is given very frequently in Iran. The Arabic root means "joy" or "happiness."
• Laleh: The derivation of this name is clearly documented: Laleh is the Persian word for "tulip."
• Mina: Mina can be a short form of names ending in -mina such as Wilhelmina. In addition, independent name histories exist: Persian "enamel," Sanskrit "fish," and Pashto "love." None of these translations applies across the board to all bearers of the name.
• Parisa: This name is composed of the Persian components "pari" (fairy) and the suffix "-sa" (like, resembling). The documented meaning is "like a fairy."
• Roya: The root of this name is unambiguous. Roya is the Persian word for "dream" or "vision."
• Sanaz: A traditional Persian girl's name. Its components are widely translated as "full of grace" or "proud."
• Shirin: This name has been documented in the Persian-speaking world since antiquity, including by historical queens. The Persian adjective "shirin" means "sweet."
• Tara: The often-cited translation "star" is a correct interpretation from Persian and Sanskrit. However, the name also has an Irish name history, where it refers to the Hill of Tara (the seat of the Irish High Kings). There is no single blanket meaning here.
• Ziba: The origin is direct and straightforward: Ziba is the Persian adjective for "beautiful."

Names for Boys

• Armin: Both a German and a Persian name history are documented for this name. In Persian, it traces back to a figure in the epic Schāhnāme. In the Germanic linguistic area, it derives from Arminius. Both origins are valid and arose independently of each other.
• Bijan: A classic name from Persian literature. Bijan is a well-known hero in the epic Schāhnāme. The widespread interpretation of the name is "hero."
• Kian: Kian is, on the one hand, a spelling variant of the Irish Cian, "ancient" or "enduring." On the other hand, there is the independent Persian name with royal associations in meaning. The two origins are to be explained separately.
• Kourosh: This is the original Old Persian name of the historical King Cyrus the Great. The older word meaning of this family of names is not definitively clarified among linguists; hypotheses range from "sun" to "young hero." However, the historical reference to the founder of the Persian Empire is certain.
• Navid: The derivation of this name is reliably documented. The Persian word Navid means "good news" or "glad tidings."
• Omid: A very direct and clear name. Omid is the Persian word for "hope."
• Ramin: This name comes from ancient Persian literature, known through the romantic epic "Wis and Ramin." The root word is widely translated as "joyful" or "tame."
• Reza: A name of Arabic origin (written Ridha there) that is among the most frequently given first names in Iran. The Arabic root means "contentment" or "satisfaction."
• Sam: Here, too, different origins exist. In the Persian Schāhnāme, Sam is the grandfather of the famous hero Rostam. In the Western linguistic area, however, Sam is documented as a short form of the Hebrew name Samuel.

A Special Case: Sina

Sina has multiple name histories. In the Persian-speaking world, Sina is used as a boy's name; a well-known bearer is the scholar Ibn Sina. In European naming practice, Sina can be a female short form of names ending in -sina. It does not follow from the renown of Ibn Sina that the name was derived only from him. Different regional gender associations can lead to questions in everyday life.

Transcription and the Interplay with the Last Name

Because Persian uses its own alphabet, the names must be transliterated (transcribed) into Latin letters for German documents. As a result, there are often several valid spellings. The Persian name for "dream" can become Roya or Roia. When choosing the spelling, you should check which variant is read more intuitively in German.

When making your choice, also pay attention to the stress. Many Persian names are stressed on the last syllable (e.g., Na-VID, Shi-RIN). Say the first name out loud together with your last name. A first name stressed on the last syllable often pairs very well with a last name stressed on the first syllable, creating a smooth rhythm.

How to Make Your Shared Selection

Deciding on a given name from another linguistic background often requires a bit more coordination, especially if one parent has Persian roots and the other does not. First, determine which criteria are important to you: Should the name be easy to pronounce in both languages? Is a direct connection to Persian literature important to you?

To compare these criteria systematically, you can use the HeyName app. Connect your devices via invitation and use the filter function to search specifically for names from particular linguistic origins. You can independently rate names as Favorite, Maybe, or Not a Fit. Names that you have both marked as a favorite will appear as shared matches. This allows you to see right away where your tastes overlap for Persian or Iranian names, so you can discuss this shortlist together and test it out with your last name.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

Back to this topic: Languages and countries