Persian name

A Persian name consists of a given name, sometimes more than one, and a surname.

Given names

Since the Islamic conquest of Persia, some names in Iran have been derived from Arabic although the majority are Persian in origin. Persian Christians have Arabic names indistinguishable from their Muslim neighbors. They can also use Arabic derivations of Christian names (sich as saints' names), or Greek, Assyrian, or especially Armenian names. After all, most Christian Iranians are Armenian Iranians.

Many Persian names come from the great Persian literature book, Shahnameh (The Epic of Kings). It was composed in the 10th century by Ferdowsi and is considered by many the masterpiece of the Persian literature and is treasured by all Iranians. Approximately 10%-15% of all Persian names are from Shahnameh. A few examples are Abtin, Ardeshir, Armeen, Arzhang, Babak (Papak), Bijan, Bizhan, Bozorgmehr, Darab, Dariush (Darius), Esfandiar, Esfandyar, Javad, Faramarz, Farhad, Fariborz, Farshid and Farzad, Yazdan.