What does Rostam mean?
Rostam is the greatest hero of the Shahnameh, his name evoking strength.
What does Arash mean?
Arash is a legendary archer-hero of Persian myth, his name linked to “truthful.”
Rostam vs Arash
Which is more popular?
Arash is more popular than Rostam today: about 20 US babies were given the name Arash in 2025, compared with 7 named Rostam.
| Rostam | Arash | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Brave, strong hero | Truthful; legendary archer |
| Origin | Persian | Persian |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | rus-TAHM | ah-RAHSH |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 2015 | 1972 |
| Peak year | 2023 (14) | 1982 (41) |
| In 2025 | 7 | 20 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Rostam
Arash
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Rostam | Arash |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 26 | 98 |
| 2010s | 5 | 113 |
| 2000s | 0 | 97 |
| 1990s | 0 | 203 |
| 1980s | 0 | 333 |
| 1970s | 0 | 129 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Rostam or Arash more popular?
Arash is more popular than Rostam today: about 20 US babies were given the name Arash in 2025, compared with 7 named Rostam.
What is the difference between Rostam and Arash?
Rostam means Brave, strong hero (Persian origin), while Arash means Truthful; legendary archer (Persian origin).
Which name is older, Rostam or Arash?
In US records, Rostam first appears in 2015 and Arash in 1972, so Arash has the longer recorded history.