It’s often difficult to come up with names for characters. I’ve seen enough variations on Tolkein names to last me a lifetime, not to mention those based on movie characters and other SF/Fantasy series. But where can you go to find a name that’s different, but not overly so? How about from another culture, historical or otherwise?
Beyond ‘Fred’ is an occasional series that provides lists of names from real-world cultures, both past and present. In other posts, I’ve covered everything from Italian to Ancient Egyptian. This time, we’re covering Persian names, ancient and newer.
An important note: I’m listing names that I think sound cool for rpg game purposes. I’m not worrying about historical accuracy. If you’re looking for a name for historical re-enactment, please check out my list of sources at the end of this post. I also don’t usually cover name meanings, but again, most of my sources list those. Finally, I tend to stay away from names that are currently in common usage. I figure if you were interested in those, you wouldn’t be looking at this list. 😉
[Photo courtesy of hsivonen via Flickr Creative Commons]
Ancient Persian Names
Male
- Aêtava
- Airyu
- Bêndva
- Byarshan
- Chamrav
- Dahâka
- Drâdha
- Datis
- Erezavant
- Erezrâspa
- Frâchithra
- Frânya
- Gaevani
- Gaomant
- Hanghaurvah
- Hvova
- Isvant
- Jannara
- Jishti
- Kaeva
- Karesna
- Mathravaka
- Mazdayasna
- Nanarasti
- Neremyazdana
- Paeshata
- Parshinta
- Ravant
- Sadhanah
- Sâma
- Stivant
- Taurvati
- Tura
- Usan
- Uxshan
- Vâgerezan
- Varâza
- Vyâtana
- Xexes
- Xshtavay
- Yima
- Zairita
- Zavan
Female
- Ahoo
- Amytis
- Atosa
- Banafsheh
- Dughdhô-Vâ
- Eredat-Fedhrî
- Franghâd
- Freni
- Ghazal
- Humayâ
- Hutaosâ
- Hvôv
- Jagkrut
- Kanukâ
- Khoshfarberan
- Lila
- Narges
- Narpestan
- Paêsanghanû
- Pouruchista
- Sarvenaz
- Thriti
- Tûshnâmatay
- Urûdhayant
- Ushtavaitî
- Uxshentî
- Vadhut
- Vanghu-Fedhrî
- Zairichi
- Zeheratzade
Newer Persian Names (19th century)
Male
- Abadi
- Adarvan
- ANOSH
- Bahadur
- Beramji
- Burzin
- Chaxshnush
- Cirrus
- Dadar
- Delir
- Dorabji
- Edalji
- Erach
- Erachsha
- Fardunji
- Firdous
- Freortis
- Gashtaham
- Goberu
- Govad
- Hardar
- Hirji
- Hutan
- Isatvastra
- Ishvat
- Izadyar
- Jahandar
- Javidan
- Jehangir
- Kai
- Kavas
- Kurush
- Mahdat
- Mervanji
- Mohor
- Nadarsha
- Nevazar
- Nima
- Nush
- Omid
- Orvadasp
- Palash
- Pishkar
- Puladvand
- Raham
- Rashna
- Rushad
- Sahi
- Shahen
- Surin
- Tahmtan
- Temulji
- Tizuarshti
- Ukarji
- Ushah
- Ushedarmah
- Valash
- Varshasb
- Vaspar
- Wehzan
- Yadgar
- Yazad
- Yima
- Zal
- Zand
- Zirak
- Zurvan
Female
- Abanhir
- Aimai
- Arzu
- Avabai
- Bahar
- Banubai
- Behruz
- Chaman
- Cheherazad
- Deldar
- Dinaz
- Dinbanu
- Farida
- Franak
- Friyana
- Gohar
- Gulbai
- Gilshan
- Homa
- Hormazbanu
- Hutoxi
- Iranbanu
- Irandokht
- Jahanaray
- Jarbai
- Javaneh
- Kaniz
- Khubrui
- Khushnam
- Lalagul
- Laleh
- Lilya
- Mahzarin
- Meherbai
- Morvarid
- Narenj
- Nezhat
- Nilufer
- Omid
- Oranous
- Orkideh
- Parendi
- Parvin
- Puyendeh
- Rambanu
- Roshni
- Ruhae
- Samannaz
- Shirin
- Sudabeh
- Tehmina
- Thrity
- Tishtar
- Ushtavaity
- Vahbiz
- Vira
- Virbanu
- Yasmin
- Yazdin
- Yazdindokht
- Zarin
- Zer
- Zoish
Sources
- Arabian Nights/Ancient Persian Names (Girls)
- Ancient Persian Girl Names
- Avesta names; Old Persian names
- Original Persian Names
- What are Your Favourite Ancient Persian Names?
