Persian (Iranian) names reach back thousands of years, drawing on the Shahnameh — Ferdowsi’s epic “Book of Kings” — and on Zoroastrian heritage, alongside a later layer of Arabic-influenced names after the coming of Islam. Persian is a distinct language (Farsi), not Arabic, though the two share some names.

Nature, stars and legend

Persian names are famously lyrical, drawn from flowers (Laleh, “tulip”; Nasrin, “wild rose”), the moon and stars (Mahsa, “like the moon”; Setareh, “star”; Soraya, the Pleiades), and the heroes of legend (Rostam, Arash, Kaveh).

Meaning and beauty

Names are chosen for their beauty and meaning — hope (Omid), contentment (Reza), dream (Roya). Feminine names often end in -eh or -a.

A living heritage

Carried by Iranians across the world, these names keep a poetic tradition alive far beyond Iran’s borders.

Frequently asked questions

Are Persian names the same as Arabic names?

No. Persian (Farsi) is a distinct language with its own ancient tradition, though after the coming of Islam some Arabic names entered use, so the two overlap in part.

Where do Persian names come from?

Many come from the Shahnameh, Ferdowsiu2019s great epic, and from Zoroastrian heritage, alongside names drawn from nature, stars and poetry.

What are popular Persian names?

Names like Darya, Setareh and Yasaman for girls, and Arash, Kian and Darius for boys, are widely loved.

What do Persian names often mean?

They are famously poetic u2014 flowers, the moon and stars, dreams, and the heroes of legend are common themes.