What does Farhad mean?
Farhad is a hero of Persian romance, his name linked to “joy” and “happiness.”
What does Rostam mean?
Rostam is the greatest hero of the Shahnameh, his name evoking strength.
Farhad vs Rostam
Which is more popular?
Rostam is more popular than Farhad today: about 7 US babies were given the name Rostam in 2025, compared with 5 named Farhad.
| Farhad | Rostam | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Happiness; legendary lover | Brave, strong hero |
| Origin | Persian | Persian |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | far-HAHD | rus-TAHM |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1972 | 2015 |
| Peak year | 1990 (14) | 2023 (14) |
| In 2025 | 5 | 7 |
| Trend | Declining | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Farhad
Rostam
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Farhad | Rostam |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 17 | 26 |
| 2010s | 25 | 5 |
| 2000s | 35 | 0 |
| 1990s | 72 | 0 |
| 1980s | 87 | 0 |
| 1970s | 37 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Farhad or Rostam more popular?
Rostam is more popular than Farhad today: about 7 US babies were given the name Rostam in 2025, compared with 5 named Farhad.
What is the difference between Farhad and Rostam?
Farhad means Happiness; legendary lover (Persian origin), while Rostam means Brave, strong hero (Persian origin).
Which name is older, Farhad or Rostam?
In US records, Farhad first appears in 1972 and Rostam in 2015, so Farhad has the longer recorded history.