What does Kaveh mean?
Kaveh is the blacksmith who leads a revolt against tyranny in the Shahnameh.
What does Rostam mean?
Rostam is the greatest hero of the Shahnameh, his name evoking strength.
Kaveh vs Rostam
Which is more popular?
Kaveh is more popular than Rostam today: about 13 US babies were given the name Kaveh in 2025, compared with 7 named Rostam.
| Kaveh | Rostam | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Royal; the heroic blacksmith | Brave, strong hero |
| Origin | Persian | Persian |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | KAH-veh | rus-TAHM |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1973 | 2015 |
| Peak year | 1983 (18) | 2023 (14) |
| In 2025 | 13 | 7 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Kaveh
Rostam
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Kaveh | Rostam |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 58 | 26 |
| 2010s | 87 | 5 |
| 2000s | 75 | 0 |
| 1990s | 60 | 0 |
| 1980s | 99 | 0 |
| 1970s | 42 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Kaveh or Rostam more popular?
Kaveh is more popular than Rostam today: about 13 US babies were given the name Kaveh in 2025, compared with 7 named Rostam.
What is the difference between Kaveh and Rostam?
Kaveh means Royal; the heroic blacksmith (Persian origin), while Rostam means Brave, strong hero (Persian origin).
Which name is older, Kaveh or Rostam?
In US records, Kaveh first appears in 1973 and Rostam in 2015, so Kaveh has the longer recorded history.