Iranian given names draw primarily from Persian (Farsi) and other Iranian languages, with layers from Old Persian and Avestan, and extensive Arabic influence after Islam. Many names are compounds built from meaningful elements. Common components include mehr (sun, love), far (glory), dad (given by), ban or bān (guardian), yar (friend), and shah (king). Feminine formations often use dokht (daughter), banu (lady), naz, and the flower prefix gol-. Typical endings include -a and -e/eh in feminine names, and -an, -ar, -sh, and -yar in masculine names.
Phonological features reflect Persian sounds such as kh, gh, and zh. Arabic-origin names like Mohammad, Ali, and Fatemeh are widespread, alongside revived pre-Islamic names such as Ardeshir, Rostam, and Anahita. Modern trends include renewed preference for Persian-derived forms and increased use of short names (e.g., Nika, Tara). Broader Iranian naming also incorporates Kurdish, Luri, Baluchi, and other regional elements, so patterns are mixed rather than uniform.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | Popularity (last 10y) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arya | 'Noble' (primary Sanskrit/Old Iranian sense); sometimes associated with 'air' or 'melody' via Aria | Albanian, Iranian, Persian, Sanskrit | Unisex | 24,381 #1 | |
| Aras | Name of the Aras (Araks) River; used as a masculine given name in Anatolian and Caucasian cultures. | Armenian, Iranian, Persian, Turkish | Boy | 476 #2 | |
| Tiger | Tiger | English, Greek, Iranian | Boy | 322 #3 | |
| Darah | Varies by origin - commonly associated with 'oak' (Irish), 'star' (Khmer), 'wealthy/ruler' (Persian), or related to 'pearl' in some Arabic forms; also used as a modern spelling/variant of Dara/Daria. | Arabic, Iranian, Irish, Khmer, Persian, Urdu | Girl | 160 #4 | |
| Samani | Varies by origin. In Pali/Sanskrit contexts related to sāmaṇerī (a novice Buddhist nun) or derived from the root 'saman' (association/participant). In Persian-derived contexts it functions as a nisba meaning 'of/related to Saman' or as a family name. Also appears as a geographic/place name in Japan. | Iranian, Japanese, Persian, Sanskrit | Unisex | 103 #5 | |
| Vardan | Rose | Armenian, Iranian | Boy | 56 #6 | |
| Farhad | Merited, deserved | Iranian, Persian | Boy | 20 #7 | |
| Amitis | Possibly "immortal" or "unfading" (exact meaning uncertain) | Iranian, Persian | Girl | — | |
| Ariobarzanes | From Old Iranian elements ariya ('Aryan, noble') + barzāna ('exalted, high') - roughly 'exalting the Aryans' or 'noble/exalted Aryan'. | Iranian | Boy | — | |
| Aryamana | 'Companion' or 'noble friend' - name of a Vedic deity associated with hospitality and friendship | Iranian, Sanskrit | Boy | — | |
| Daeva | Originally 'demon' or 'evil spirit' in Zoroastrianism; cognate with Sanskrit 'deva' ('god') - modern use is sometimes interpreted as 'divine' or 'goddess'. | Iranian | Girl | — | |
| Elnaaz | Often interpreted as 'charming' or 'coquettish'; conveys delicate grace (from Persian element 'naz' meaning charm/coquetry). | Iranian, Persian | Girl | — | |
| Gailan | Possible meanings: 'from Gilan' (place-name, Iran); 'Chinese broccoli/kailan' (from Mandarin/Cantonese); or a variant of Galen meaning 'calm' - exact meaning depends on origin. | Arabic, Chinese, English, Iranian, Persian | Unisex | — | |
| Hormizd | Wise lord | Iranian | Boy | — | |
| Kiumarz | Name of the mythological first man and first king - primordial ancestor | Iranian, Persian | Boy | — | |
| Koohyar | Friend or companion of the mountain; mountain dweller / mountaineer | Iranian, Persian | Boy | — | |
| Mazdack | Devotee or follower of Ahura Mazda; 'of Mazda' or 'little Mazda' | Iranian, Persian | Boy | — | |
| Mede | Possibly 'of the Medes' (an ancient Iranian people) or a short form of Medea; also linked to roots meaning 'to plan' or 'counsel'. | English, Greek, Iranian | Unisex | — | |
| Omead | Hope | Iranian, Persian | Boy | — | |
| Omidvar | Hopeful; one who has or brings hope | Iranian, Persian | Boy | — | |
| Ormazd | Lord of Wisdom (Wise Lord) | Iranian, Persian | Boy | — | |
| Perye | Probably a variant of 'Perry' meaning 'pear tree', or related to 'Peri/Pari' meaning 'fairy' or 'fruit' depending on origin | English, Hebrew, Iranian, Persian | Unisex | — | |
| Peywand | Link, bond, connection, union | Iranian, Persian | Boy | — | |
| Saviz | Unclear - no widely attested traditional meaning; possibly a modern or regional Persian name | Iranian, Persian | Boy | — | |
| Shidan | Possibly derived from Persian root related to 'Sheyda' meaning 'enraptured, passionate' (interpretations vary by language and region) | Iranian | Unisex | — | |
| Tiridates | Created by Tir | Armenian, Greek, Iranian, Parthian | Boy | — | |
| Varduhi | Rose woman | Armenian, Iranian | Girl | — |
Aggregated births across United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany for every Iranian-origin name in our dataset.
