Persian Names
- Xerxes
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"hero among heroes"Description:
The two X's may be a challenge for even the most intrepid baby namer. Xerxes was the name of two early kings of Persia and the Handel opera Serse or Xerxes is loosely based on Xerxes I.
- Azami
Origin:
Japanese; PersianMeaning:
"thistle flower; greatest"Description:
Azami has a prickly image and feel — reinforced by the thistle's image in Eastern mythology as one of defiance. A name that spans two widely divergent cultures, Azami might make the perfect international choice, at once unusual and easy to comprehend.
- Este
Origin:
Diminutive of Esther, PersianMeaning:
"star"Description:
Este -- think Esme with a t -- comes to us via one of the rocking sisters in the musical group Haim. For long best known as the Esther diminutive used by cosmetics queen Estee Lauder, Este is a slimmed-down version that feels chicer for our star-struck times. While mother name Esther has Persian origins and impressive Biblical roots, it's a name used in a wide range of cultures.
- Yasmin
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"jasmine flower"Description:
This name, whose sweet and fragrant floral essence has always been widespread across the Near Eastern world, has now landed on US popularity lists in a variety of spellings. It's been dropping precipitously over the past few years, though, perhaps due to a combination of tensions in the Middle East and the fading fashion status of Jasmine itself.
- Armani
Origin:
Italian surname derived from Herman or Arman, German or PersianMeaning:
"son of Ermanno; soldier; wish,hope"Description:
Armani is catching on along with other brand names, and this one is among the most gender-neutral — sitting in the Top 500 for both boys and girls. Its similarity to the likes of rising stars Amari, Arlo, and Amias, along with the more classic Arthur and Giovanni helps it feel more "name-y" than "brand-y".
- Roxana
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"dawn; or, little star"Description:
The name of the wife of Alexander the Great, more attractive than the better-known Roxanne. Roxana was first used in the English-speaking world in the 1600s and was popularized by Daniel Defoe's novel Roxana, published in 1724. An underused and attractive possibility and perfect if you're searching for names that mean new beginnings.
- Kasper
Origin:
Polish variation of Casper, form of Jasper, PersianMeaning:
"bringer of treasure"Description:
Jasper and its many international variations, from Kasper to Casper to Gaspard, is finding new popularity.
- Kyra
Origin:
Feminine variation of Cyrus, PersianMeaning:
"throne"Description:
The girls' name Kyra sounds like the also popular Keira/Kiera, but has a different root. There are twice as many baby girls named Keira as Kyra, with Kiera in third place. Kyra now ranks at #590 and is most familiar via actress Kyra Sedgwick.
- Esmé
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"esteemed, beloved"Description:
Esme is a sophisticated, distinctive, and charming J. D. Salinger name, from his classic 1950 story 'For Esme, With Love and Squalor'.Related to the French Aimee, which means beloved, and to the concept of esteem, it was originally a male name exported from France to Scotland via a member of the royal family.A current favorite among celebs, including Samantha Morton, Michael J. Fox and Katey Sagal. Esme got a lot of publicity via the character Esme Cullen, the vampire matriarch of the Olympic Coven in the Twilight Saga.
- Zarina
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"a golden vessel"Description:
Derived from Persian zarin "golden", Zarina is a strong and sparkling name used in multiple languages, including Kazakh, Urdu and Malay. It was the name of an ancient Scythian queen, and also sounds very close to the Russian tsarina or czarina – the pre-revolutionary term for an empress of Russia.
- Sofie
Origin:
German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Czech variation of Sophie or Sophia, GreekMeaning:
"wisdom"Description:
A streamlined spelling of Sophie, popular in several European nations, including Norway, Czechia, Denmark, and The Netherlands. While English speakers may say this as SO-fee, it may also be said as zo-FEE in German, so-FEE-uh in Danish and Norwegian and SO-fih-yeh in Czech.
- Tamerlaine
Origin:
Turkic, MongolMeaning:
"iron"Description:
Although Tamerlaine, especially with the addition of an i, feels more feminine than masculine these days and is occasionally used for girls, the original Tamerlane was a fierce Mongol warrior.
- Parisa
Origin:
Iranian, PersianMeaning:
"like a fairy"Description:
Funny how one letter can turn a name from ordinary to special. Parisa is so much more distinctive than either Marisa or Paris, with its sparkly meaning. It ultimately comes from the Persian word parī, used to describe a fairy, sprite, or similar.
- Rosetta
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"splendid"Description:
Associated with the ancient Rosetta stone, this is also the pretty Italian pet form of Rosa.
- Vashti
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"lovely"Description:
This Persian name with an Old Testament pedigree has a warm Sasha-like feel. The Biblical Vashti was a queen who refused her husband's orders to appear naked in front of his party guests and so was deposed in favor of Esther. For her independent spirit, Vashti has become something of a feminist icon.
- Jasmin
Origin:
Variation of Jasmine, a Persian flower nameMeaning:
"jasmine flower"Description:
Jasmin doesn't have the grace of Jasmine (which in 2016 ranked at 122 in the US Top 1000), but it is far more preferable to the trendier versions doing the rounds like Jazmin or Jazzmyn. If you are looking for a more unusual variant try Yasmin or Jessamine.
- Nasrin
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"wild rose"Description:
Nasrin has a strong sound and lovely floral meaning. International variants include the Turkish Nesrin and Egyptian Nesreen.
- Fatemeh
Description:
Fatemeh is a feminine name of Arabic and Persian origin, representing the most common transliteration of Fatimah in Iran and among Persian speakers. It honors Fatimah al-Zahra, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, who is deeply revered in Islamic tradition as a model of virtue, piety, and strength. The name derives from Arabic roots meaning 'to abstain' or 'to wean,' symbolizing purity and restraint. Fatemeh remains extremely popular throughout Iran, Afghanistan, and among Muslim communities worldwide, carrying significant spiritual and cultural importance. The name reflects both religious devotion and cultural heritage, making it a meaningful choice that connects its bearers to centuries of Islamic tradition while celebrating feminine wisdom and resilience.
- Lazuli
Origin:
Persian place nameDescription:
Now deeply associated with the gemstone Lapis Lazuli, Lazuli is derived from one of the places where the stone was first mined. The word Lazuli is the root for words like azure. Lapis Lazuli is a deep and rich blue color and was used for pigments and jewellery. Lazuli can be used for a boy or a girl.
- Anara
Origin:
Kazakh, Persian, and HindiMeaning:
"pomegranate flower"Description:
Anara is a name that strikes a perfect balance between simple and unusual. It's easy to understand and pronounce for a Westerner, and yet it's highly distinctive, used for only 24 girls in the US in 2021. A recommended and unusual nature option.
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