HISTORY OF PERSIA(IRAN)

Iranian Boy Names نامهای پسران



A
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آبانAbAn 8th month of the Iranian calendar; Name of a certain angel
آبیدAbid Spark, fire
عبّاسabbAs (A) Frowning, looking austere; Lion; Name of Mohammad's uncle
ابوعلیabou-ali Avicenna, Name of a famous Iranian scientist and philosopher
آبتینAbtin A character in Shahnameh (Feraydoon's father)
آدرAdar Fire
عادلAdel (A) Righteous
عدلانadlan-
افرندafrand Splendor, glory
افرنگafrang Splendor, glory
افراسیابafrAsiAb/afrasiyAbA character in Shahnameh (The king of Turan)
افشارafshAr Companion, partner
افشینafshin Name of an Iranian General
احدahad (A) One; an individual
احمدahmad (A) Most praiseworthy
اکبرakbar (A) Great
البرزalborz Name of a mountain range in Iran
علیali (A) High; also Mohammad's son-in-law
علی دادali-dAd Gift of Ali
آلتونAltun = Altin (T) Golden
الوندalvand Name of mountain in Iran (near Hamadan)
عمیدamid (A) A great man
امینamin (A) Honest
امیرamir (A) King, Emir
امجدamjad (A) Most excellent, glorious
انوشanoush Eternal
انوشیروانanoushiravAn Name of a Persian king
اپرنگaprang A character in Shahnameh (SAm's son)
آراArA Ornament, decoration
آرادArAd Name of an angel
آرامArAm Quiet
آرانArAn/AronA former Persian province in Caucasus, which is now part of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
آرنگArang Color
آرآسبArAsp = ArAsb Name of one of Kourosh's general
آرشArash A hero in Persian folklore (a celebrated archer); also a character in Shahnameh (Kay-ghobad's son, and Kavus' brother)
ارشکarashk The first king of the Ashkanian dynasty
ارشاماarshAmA Name of the grandfather of King Darius I
ارشمیدarashmid (G) Archimedes
ارستوarastoo Arastotle
ارداardA Name of a priest of the Magi (during Sassanid period)
اردلانardalAn A Kurdish name
اردوانardavAn Name of many Parthian kings; Name of Dariush I's brother
اردشیرardeshir Name of the founder of the Sassanian dynasty (Ardeshir BabakAn); Name of a couple of Achaemenid and Sassanid kings; also name of a couple of characters in Shahnameh
اردونardoon/ardun Name of a Persian king
عارفAref (A) Wise, intelligent
ارجاسپarjAspA character in Shahnameh (AfrasiyAb's grandson; name of a Turanian champion); Possessor of valuable horses
ارجانarjAnA kind of fir (tree); a kind of mountain almond
ارجمندarjomand Beloved, dear, noble
آرمانArmAn Ideal, hope, aspiration
آرمینArmin/Armeen = armin/armeen A character in Shahnameh (Key-ghobad's son)
ارمیاarmiyA Jeremiah
آرمونArmoun/ArmunEarnest, pledge
ارسلانarsalAn Lion; Brave man
ارشدarshad Head of a group; The marcasite stone
ارشامarshAm Very strong; Name of Dariush's grandfather
ارشنarshan Strong and brave man; A character in Shahnameh (Kavous' brother)
ارشانarshAn Name of an Iranian prince (Ardeshir II's son)
ارشاسبarshAsb Possessor of stallions; An old Persian name
ارشیاarshiA Throne
ارسیاarsiA Throne
آرتابازArtAbAz Name of Kurosh the Great's commander of war chariots
آرتانArtAn Name of Dariush's father-in-law
آرتایartAy Strong
آرتینArtin Name of a Medes king; Righteous
آرتمانArteman Name of Khashayar's (Xerxes) brother
آرونArun Amiable, attractive
اروندarvand Majesty, grandeur; A character in Shahnameh (Lohrasb's father)
آروینArvin Experiment, trial
آریاAryA/AriA Aryan
آریابدAryAbod Chief of the Aryans; Guardian of the Aryans
آریامنAryAman Name of Khashayar's (Achaemenid) naval commander
آریانوAryAno / AriAnoNew Aryan
آریامنشAryAmanesh Of Aryan nature
آریانAryAn/AriAnRelated, belonging to the AryAns
آریاناAryAnA/AriAnARelated, belonging to the AryAns
آریارمناAryAramnA Name of the great-grandfather of King Darius I
آریاآسبAryAsb = AryAsp Possessor of AryAn horses; Name Kourosh the Great's general and friend
آریوبرزنAryo-barzan Name of Darius III's general who fought against Alexander's invasion.
ارژنarzhan/arjanA kind of mountain almond
ارژنگarzhang/arjangThe house of painter MAni; A character in Shahnameh (a Turanian champion, killed by Tus)
ارزینarzin -
اسدasad (A) Lion
آصفAsef (A) Name of the minister of Solomon; wise
اصغرasghar (A) Small
اشکانashkAn Name of the 3rd dynasty of Persian kings
اسلانaslAn (T) Lion
عطاatA To give
اتابکatAbak Grand vazir; prime minister; the lord; father (in Turkish)
آتشAtash Fire
آتشبانAtashbAn /AtashbonGuardian of fire
آتشبندAtashband -
آتیلاAtilA Name of the Hun's king which attacked the Roman empire
اورنگAurang/Orang A throne; wisdom, understanding; beauty
آوگانAvgAn A character in Shahnameh (Name of a warrior in Ferydoon's army)
آوندAvand -
آیاز / ایازAyaz / ayAz (T)Name of Sultan Mahmood's famous royal servant; Night breeze
آیدینAydin /Idin (T) Clear; enlightened; illuminated, bright
آیتانAytAn/Aytun (T) Speaker
آزادAzAd Free
آذرانAzarAn Name of a small Zoroastrian fire temple
آذردادAzardAd-
آذرنگAzarang Bright, shining, flame-colored, red
آذربُدAzarbod The god of fire
آذرتشAzartash = Azartush A salamander
عظیمazim Big, great
عزیزaziz (A) Precious, dear

B
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بابکBAbak/Bobak/BobacName of the father of Ardeshir (founder of the Sassanid dynasty); little father; faithful
بهادرBahAdor (T) Brave, honorable
بهارBahAr Spring
بهمنBahman Name of the 11th month of the Iranian calendar; Name of a couple of characters in Shahnameh (One of Esfandiyar's sons)
بهمنیارBahmanyAr Name of a student of AvicennA
بهامینBahAmin/BahAmeen Spring
بهرامBahrAm Name of a couple of Sassani kings; Name of a couple of characters in Shahnameh; also the planet Mars
بختیارBakhtiAr Name of a tribe; name of a place in southern Iran
بکتاشBaktAsh (T) The elder, grandee of a tribe; Precious, dear; Name of one of the kings of Kharazm
بلاشBalAsh Name of a Sassanid King
بامدادBAmdAd Early morning; Name of Mazdak's father
بامینBAmeen/BAmin Bright, radiant; A town in HarAt (in today's Afghanistan)
بامشادBamshAd Famous musician during the Sassanid Dynasty
بنانBanAn (A) Tips of the fingers
بارانBArAn Rain
باربدBArbod Famous musician during the Sassanid Dynasty
بردیاBardiA/BardiyA Name of Kourosh the Great's son who was also Darius I's father-in-law
بریدBarid Courier, messenger
برینBarin Eminent; Supreme; Pleasant; the north-east wind; name of a fire temple
بارینBArin (T) Strength, power
برخیاBarkhiA (A) The father of Asef
بارمانBArmAn A character in Shahnameh (Name of one of Afrasiyab's generals)
برمکBarmac/Barmak Name of a noble and famous Iranian family from Khorasan who served as great vazir during Harun al-Rashid
برسامBarsAm Great fire
باسیمBasim (A) Smiling
برزینBarzin = Borzin Fire; Name of an ancient fire temple; Name of an ancient champion of Iran
بشیرBashir (A) A messenger of good news
باشوBAshu Lizard
Basir (A) Wise
باستامBastam/BastomCoral
باستینBAstin/BostinPatient
باوندBAvand Iranian dynasty that ruled Tabaristan in what is now northern Iran (Mazandaran)
باورBAvar-
باوردBAvard Name of a hero, and the city (was in the vicinity of Neishabur) founded by him
بازانBAzAn -
بازیارBAzyAr/BozyAr A falconer; a farmer
بازورBAzur/BAzoor A character in Shahnameh (The TurAnian sorcerer)
بهبودBehboud (Z) Healthy
بهدادBehdAd Excellent gift; Of good birth
بهدینBehdin Good rite; Of good religion
بهفرBehfar Having good dignity
بهجانBehjAn -
بهکامBehkAm Good wish
بهمردBehmard Good man
بهنامBehnAm Reputable (someone with honorable name)
بهنیاBehniA Having good ancestry
بهنیودBehnood/Behnoud-
بهپورBehpour Good son
بهرادBehrAd Charitable person, giver of goodness
بهرنگBehrang Good color
بهرخBehrokh Handsome face
بهروزBehrouz Fortunate, lucky
بهزادBehzAd Of good birth; Of noble family
بلکاBelkA (T) Knowledgeable
بیناBinA Seeing, clear-sighted
بیژنBizhan/Bijan A character in Shahnameh (Giv's son and Manijeh's husband)
برجسبBorjAsb Possessor of tall and lean horses
برناBornA Young, youthful
برزینBorzin Name of a couple of characters in Shahnameh (An Iranian warrior)
برزوBorzoo/Borzu A character in Shahnameh (Sohrab's son)
بزرگمهرBozorgmehr = Buzarjomehr Name of the prime minister of Anushiravan, King of Persia
برزویهBorzouyeh/Borzuyeh Iranian physician of Sassanid period (he translated "Pancha Tantra" from Sanskrit into Persian and named it "Kelileh and Demneh")

C
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کارنCAren/KAren = CAran/KAran Warrior, brave; A character in Shahnameh (Kaveh's son)
چکادChakAd/ChekAd Top, crown of the head; a shield
چنگیزChangiz/Changeez Chengiz Khan/ Gengiz Khan
چاووشChAvosh (T) A sergeant; a herald; the leader of a caravan
سیروسCyrus/Siroos/CirusKourosh, first king of Iran, founder of the the Achaemenids dynasty and the Persian empire

D
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دادبهDAdbeh ?
دادبینDAdbin -
دادفرDAdfar -
دادمهرDAdmehr -
دادورDAdvar Just; judge
داناDAnA Knowledgeable
دانشDAnesh/Donesh Knowledge
دانیالDAniAl/DAniyAl/DoniyAl (A) Daniel
دانوشDanush Name of a character in 'Vameq and Ozra' by Onsori
داباDAbA Gold in Zand
دامونDAmoon -
داراDArA Darius, Dariush; Wealthy; One who has kindness; A character in Shahnameh (The 9th king of the mythical Kianian dynasty, who was DArAb's son)
دارابDArAb Darius, Dariush; One who has kindness; A character in Shahnameh (The 8th king of the mythical Kianian dynasty who was Bahman's son)
داریوشDAriush/Daryush Darius; Name of 3 Persian kings of the Achaemenids dynasty; One who has kindness
دارمانDArmAn Name of one of Khosrow-parviz's (Sassanid) general
داتیسDAtisName of an Achamenid general (Darius I's) who commanded the Persian troop in the Battle of Marathon
داورDAvar Judge
داوودDAvood (A)David
داریانDAriAn/DAryAn/DAriyAn/DArionName of a village in Iran's Fars province; Name of a place in Iran's East Azarbaijan province; Name of a village in Iran's Kurdistan province
داریاDAryA/ DAriyA One who has (or drives) a war chariot
دریا دلDaryAdel/ DariyAdel-
دلاورDelAvar Brave
دلیرDelir Brave
دیاکو / دیاآکوDiyAko/DiAcoThe founder of the Medes tribe
دولتDowlat/Dolat

E
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ابیEbi (A) Paternal
ابراهیمEbrAhim (A) Abraham
ادریسEdris -
اقبالEghbAl (A) Good fortune
احسانEhsAn (A) Goodness
عمادEmAd (A) Confidence
عنایتEnAyat (A) To Try
عرفانErfAn (A) Knowing; Knowledge
اسفندیارEsfandyar/Esfandiar/IsfandyAr = EspandyArA character in Shahnameh (GoshtAsb's son)
اسماعیلEsmAeel (A) Ishmael (son of Abraham)

F
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فیلکFailak/Faylak A double-headed arrow
فرجFaraj Joy
فرامرزFarAmarz Keeper of a citadel or fortress; A character in Shahnameh (Rostam's son)
فرامینFarAminOrders, mandates
فرازFarAz Above, up, upon, on the top
فرازمانFarAzmon/FarazmAnAn order, command
فربدFarbod Right, orthodox
فردادFardAd Having the light of God
فردینFardAn Unique; one
فرداتFardAt Name of Khashayar's (Xerxes) nephew
فردیدFardid Former, prior
فردینFardin Abbreviation of the Iranian month Farvardin
فردیسFardis Paradise
فرهادFarhAd A character from NezAmi's epic "Khosrow & Shirin (a famed stone-cutter who was in love with Shirin, the wife of the Sassani king Khosrow Parviz II.); A character in Shahnameh
فرهدFarhad (A) A handsome youth
فرهانFarhAn -
فرهنگFarhang Good-breeding
فرهودFarhood/Farhoud Handsome boy; lion cub
فریانFariAn -
فریبرزFariborz A character in Shahnameh (son of Kay-kavus)
فریدFarid Unique
فریمانFarimAn /FarimunName of town in Iran (in Khorassan province)
فرینامFarinAm Glorious name
فریسFaris (A) Horseman, knight
فریورFarivar Right, orthodox
فرجادFarjAd Excellent, eminent in learning
فرجامFarjAm Fortunate
فرخادFarkhAd Victorious
فرلاسFarlAs Soul of the sphere of Mercury
فرنادFarnod/FarnadPower, strength
فرنامFarnAm Glorious name
فرنودFarnoud Proof, reason
فرّخFarrokh Happy, fortunate
فرّخزادFarrokhzAd Happily born; A character in Shahnameh (One of Bahram choobineh and Khosrow parviz's generals)
فرسادFarsAd Wise
فرشادFarshAd Soul of the sphere of Mercury
فرشیدFarshid/Farsheed Bright as the sun; A character in Shahnameh (brother of Piran)
فرشیدوردFarshidvard -
فرشینFarshin -
فرتاشFartAsh/FartoshBeing, existence
فرتوس/ فرطوسFartous/Fartouss A character in Shahnameh (Name of one of Afrasiyab's general)
فروَدFarvad A character in Shahnameh; descent; proud
فروردینFarvardin First month of Iranian calendar
فرورتیشFarvartish Name of Medes king
فاریاFAryA/FAriA ?
فریانFaryAn Name of a king
فرزادFarzAd Splendid birth
فرزامFarzAm Worthy, befitting
فرزانFarzAn Wise
فرزینFarzin/Farzeen Learned
فاتکFAtakName of Mani's father
فاضلFAzel (A) Learned
فردوسFerdows Paradise
فریدونFereydoon/Feraydoon/Fereidoon/FeraidoonA character in Shahnameh (A king of the mythical Pishdadi dynasty who saved the Aryans)
فیروزFirouz/Firooz/Firuz Victorious; Name of a Sassani King
فروهرForoohar/ForouharEssence
فرودForoud/Forood/Froud Characters in Shahnameh (Siavosh and Jarireh's son; also name of Shirin and Khosrow Parviz's son); descent; proud

G
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گرشاسبGarshAsbA character in Shahnameh
گوماتا = گئوماتGaumAtA = GomAtA
گیوGiv A character in Shahnameh (Goudarz's son)
قادرGhAder Able
غدیرGhadir (A) A sword
قلندرGhalandar Dervish
قاسمGhAsem (A) A distributor
قیصرGheysar (A) Caesar, an emperor
قبادGhobAd Name of Sassani king; A character in Shahnameh
قدرتGhodrat Strength
گرگینGorgin A character in Shahnameh
گشتاسبGoshtAsp =GoshtAsb Possessor of many horses; Name of an ancient king of Persia (Dariush's father); also name of a character in Shahnameh
گودرزGoudarz/Gudarz/GoodarzName of 2 kings of the AshkAniAn(Parthian) dynasty; Name of a bird; also a character in Shahnameh
گرزمGorazm A character in Shahnameh
گوشاسبGoushAsb Name of a king
گورنگ = کورنگGurang = Kurang A character in Shahnameh

H
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حبیبHabib (A) Friend
هادیHAdi (A) Guide, leader
حافظHAfez Protector
Hajir A character in Shahnameh
هامانHAmAn Name of man in Khashayar's royal court; also name of Abraham's brother
HamdAt Name of HamAn's father
حامدHAmed (A) One who praises
حامیHAmi Protector, defender
حمیدHamid (A) Praiseworthy
هامونHAmoon/HAmoun A plain
حانیHAni (A) Happy , content
هارونHArun (A)Aaron (brother of Moses); chief; leader
هاشمHAshem (A) -
حسنHassan (A) Good
هاتفHAtef (A) One who praises; a voice from heaven; a guardian angel
هژیرHazhir/Hajir Dignity; praiseworthy; name of a champion of Iran
هدایتHedAyat Guide
حسامHesAm (A) A sharp sword
هشامHeshAm (A) A generous youth
حیدرHeydar (A) Lion
هیرادHirAd Appearing fresh and healthy
هیربدHirbod (Z) A priest of a fire temple
هیرمندHirmandName of a river in Iran
هیرساHirsAPure, chaste, devout, holy
هیتاسبHitAsb = Hitasp Possessor of shining horses
هیوندHivand Purity
Hojabr (A) -
همایونHomAyoon Royal, fortunate
هومنHooman/Houman Having a good soul, good nature
هومانHoomAn/HoumAn A character in Shahnameh (Name of one of Afrasiyab's generals)
هومینHoomin/Hoomeen/Houmin -
هونامHoonAm/HounAmOf good name
هوشانHooshAn/HoushAn Epiphany
هوشنگHooshang/HoushangOne who build's good houses; A character in Shahnameh (The 2nd king of the mythical Pishdadi dynasty who was Siamak's son)
هوشمندHooshmand/Houshmand Wise
هوشیارHooshyAr/HoushyAr Wise
هوتنHootan/Houtan = HootanA/HoutanA Well bodied; An ally of King Darius
هرمزHormoz Characters in Shahnameh (Anoushiravan's son; also name Bahram-gur's grandson)
حسینHossein (A) Good
هوردادHurdAd Gift of the sun

I
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الیاIliyA (A) Elijah; Elia; Elias; Eliyah
الیاسIlyAs/IliAs (A) Elias
ایلاIlA A character in Shahnameh (Afrasiab's son)
ایرجIraj / ErajA character in Shahnameh (Youngest son of Fereidoon); The sun
ایرمانIrmAn Wish
ایمانImAn Faith
ایرافIrAf Name of the father of ardA
اسفندیارIsfandyAr/EsfandyAr = IspandyArA character in Shahnameh (Goshtasb's son)
ایزدIzad God; an angel

J
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جبّارJabbAr (A) Powerful; the Almighty; bone-setter
جهانJahAn World
جهاندارJahAndAr Possessor of the world
جهانبختJahAnbakht -
جهانبخشJahAnbakhsh-
جهانبانJahAnbAn Potector of the world
جهانفرJahAnfar Splendor of the world
جهانگیرJahAngir Conqueror of the world; A character in Shahnameh (Rostam's son)
جهانمهرJahAnmehr Kindness of the world
جهانشادJahAnshAd The cause of the world's happiness
جهانشاهJahAnshah King/Emperor of the world
جهانشیرJahAnshir (K) -
جهانسوزJahAnsooz Affection of the world
جهانیارJahAnyArCompanion of the world
جعفرJafar (A) A river; Also name of 6th Imam of the Shitte Muslims
جلالJalAl (A) Greatness
جلایلJalil (A) Noble; Great
جمالJamAl (A) Being fair
جاماسبJAmAsb (Z) Possesor of strong horses; Name of Zartosht's son-in-law and Porochista's husband
جامیJAmi -
جمشیدJamshid A character in Shahnameh (The 3rd king of the mythical Pishdadi dynasty) ;Handsome
جوادJavAd (A) Liberal
جوانشیرJavAnshir (K) Name of Sassani king (son of Khosrow Parviz)
جاویدJAvid Living forever
جوریلJouyA/JuyA A seeker, inquirer ; A character in Shahnameh (see Jouyan)
جویانJouyAn/JuyAn A seeker, inquirer; A character in Shahnameh (a Mazandarani warrior)

K
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Kahayoun -
کلبادKalbAd/Kalbod/CalbodA character in Shahnameh (A mighty man of TurAn, killed by Fariborz)
کمالKamAl Perfection, excellence, completion, utmost level
کامبخشKAmbakhsh Giving the enjoyment of one's desires
کامبیزKAmbiz Fortunate
کامبینKAmbinFortunate, happy, content, successful in every wish
کامبدKAmbod Great wish
کمبوجیهKAmboziA = Kamboojieh = KambojiA Cambyses; Name of Kourosh's father and Name of 2 kings of the Achaemenid dynasty
کامدینKAmdin/KAmdean
کامکارKAmkAr/KAmcarName of a rose of intense red
کامرانKAmrAn Successful, fortunate
کامشادKAmshAd Happy wish/desire
کامKAmvar Successful, fortunate, victorious
کاموسKAmous A character in Shahnameh (one of AfrasiyAb's generals)
کامیارKAmyAr Successful
کریمKarim (A) Generous
کریمانKarimAn A character in Shahnameh
کریمدادKarimdAd (A) God given
کسراKasrA /CasrAA character in Shahnameh
کتیبهKatibeh (A) An army
کوادKavAd Name of a Sassanid king
کاوانKAvAn (K) Rock
کاوهKAveh A character in Shahnameh (a mythical blacksmith who saved the Iranian kingdom)
کاویانKAviAn Name of the flag of Kaveh (in Shahnameh)
کاووسKAvoos/KAvous =Kaykavoos/Kai-kAvus/KaykAvus
کَیانKayAn A star
کیهانKayhAn The world
کیوانKayvAn/KeyvAn World, universe; The planet Saturn; A character in Shahnameh (a treasurer of Bahram-gur's era)
کاظمKAzem (A) A man who hides his anger; also name of 8th Imam of the Shiites
کشوادKeshvAd A character in Shahnameh (Gudarz's father)
کیقبادKayghobAd / Keyghobad A character in Shahnameh (The first king of the mythical Kianian dynasty)
کیکاووسKaykAvoos/Kai-kAvus/KaykAvus Possessor of springs (water); Noble; Desires ; A character in Shahnameh (The 2nd king of the mythical Kianian dynasty who was Sudabeh's husband, and Siavash's father)
کیخسروKay-khosrow/Kay-khosro = Key-khosrow Noble, nobility; A character in Shahnameh (The 3rd king of the mythical Pishdadi dynasty who was Siavash's son and KaykAvus' grandson)
خشایارKhashAyAr Name of a couple of Persian kings of the Achaemenid dynasty; Xerxes
KhazarvAn A character in Shahnameh
خردادKhodAdAd God-given; gift of God
خرسندKhorsand Content
خسروKhosrow/Khosro Having a good name; Name of many of the Sassani kings; A character in Shahnameh
کیاKiA King, protector, defender
کیانKiAn/KiyAn = KayAn The kings; the name of the 2nd dynasty of Persian kings
کیانوشKiAnoosh = KayAnoosh A character in Shahnameh (Fereydoon's brother)
کی آرمینKay-Armin A character in Shahnameh (Kay-ghobad's fourth son)
کیانوشKiAnoush/KeyanoushA character in Shahnameh (One of Fereydoun's older brothers)
کی آرش/ کیارشKiArash Son of an Iranian prince
کیاوشKiAvash Royal; like a king
کیومرثKiumars/Keyumars A character in Shahnameh (First king of the mythical Pishdadi dynasty)
کوهیارKoohyAr Name of Maziar's brother
کوشاKooshA/KoushA Diligent
کوشانKooshAn/KoushAn Diligent
کوشیارKoshyAr/ KoushyArName of the physician under whom Avicenna studied medicine
کورنگKourang = Gurang A character in Shahnameh
کورشKourosh/KuroshName of first king of Iran, founder of the the Achaemenids dynasty and the Persian empire
کورُسKouros (G) Kourosh

L
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لیثLeiss (A) A lion
لسانLesAn (A) Speech; An interpreter
لهراسبLohrAsb Possessing a fast horse; A character in Shahnameh (name of a king and Goshtasb's father)

M
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مقصودMaghsoud Intended, desired
ماهانMAhAn -
مهدادMahdAd A name during the Achaemenid era
ماهرMAher Expert
مهرامMahrAm Tamed by the moon
مهبدMahbod = Mahbood Name of Anoushiravan's minister (vizier)
محمودMahmood/Mahmoud (A) Praised
مهراMahrA -
مهوندMahvand Possessing the moon
مهوارMahvAr Like the moon (resembling the moon in beauty)
مهیارMahyAr Friend of the moon, the moon's companion
مهیازMahyAz = MehyAz A character in Shahnmeh (A wrestler of Turan)
مجیدMajid (A) Great, honourable
ماکانMAkAn One of the commanders of the army of the SAmAnian dynasty
مَلِکMalek King
ملیکMalik (A) King
مانکManAk One of Khosrow Parviz's (Sassanian) commanders
مانیMAni/MAnee A painter who later claimed to be a prophet, and the founder of Manichaeism
منوچهرManouchehr/Manoochehr Of a warrior family, descent ; A character in Shahnameh (The 6th king of the mythical Pishdadi dynasty)
مانوشMAnoush/MAnoosh A character in Shahnameh (Lohrasb's grandfather)
منصورMansoor/Mansour (A) Defended, protected by God
مرداسMardas/MardaasA character in Shahnameh (A good and righteous man who was Zahak's father)
مردآویجMardavijName of the founder of the Ziyarid dynasty
مرتیاMartiyA Warrior; a rebel from Elam who fought against the Persian King Darius I
مروانMarvAn -
مرزبانMarzbAn = MarzvAn Border guard
مسعودMassoud (A) Fortunate, prosperous, happy
متینMatin/ Mateen(A) Firm, solid
مازارMAzAr Name of a Medes general in charge of Kourosh's army
مزداMazdA ?
مزدکMazdak A famous man during Sassanian period and founder of Mazdakism
مازیارMAziAr Name of a historical Persian general of Tabaristan (now called Mazandaran)
مهدیMehdi = Mahdi (A) Guided
مهرابMehrAb A character in Shahnameh (Roudabeh's father)
مهربانMehrabAn (Z) Kind
مهرادMehrAd -
مهرکMehrak Name of a warrior during Ardeshir's (Sassanid) reign; Name of Shapour I's (Sassanid) father-in-law; Sun
مهرامMehrAm -
مهرانMehrAn A character in Shahnameh
مهرنگMehrang ?
مهراشکMehrashk -
مهردادMehrdAd Gift of the sun
مهرگانMehregAn Autumn
مهرنامMehrnAm -
مهرنوشMehrnooshA character in Shahnameh (one of EsfandiyAr's son)
مهرسادMehrsAd -
مهرشادMehrshAd Shining sun
مهرتاشMehrtAsh Like the sun
مهروندMehrvand Having kindness and friendship
مهرورزMehrvarz -
مهریارMehryAr Kind
مهرزادMehrzAd The offspring of the sun; born of the son
میثمMeisam/Maysam/Maisam (A) Beauty
مهریارMehyAr ?
مکابیزMekAbiz = Megabiz Name of one of Dariush's generals
میعادMiAd (A) Place of worship
میلادMilAd Name of a champion of Iran; birth; Christmas; A character in Shahnameh
میرزاMirzA A Prince; gentleman
میثاقMisAgh (A) A promise
معینMoeen (A) Assistant, supporter
Moez -
محمّدMohammad (A) Highly praised; also name of the Prophet of Islam
مهیمنMohaymen (A) Protector
محسنMohsen (A) One who does good
مجتبیMojtabA (A) Chosen
مرادMorAd Desire, wish
مرتضیMortezA (A) Chosen
موسیMousA/MusA A companion
مصطفیMustafA (A) Chosen

N
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نادرNAder (A) Rare
نجیدNajid (A) Bold, brave
نامدارNAmdAr Famous
نامیNAmi Illustrious, celebrated
نامورNAmvar Famous
نریمانNarimAn A character in Shahnameh (ZAl's grandfather)
نرسیNarsi = Nersi Name of a Sassani king ; Characters in Shahnameh (Gudarz's son; also name an AshkaniAn king)
ناصرNAser (A) Assister, friend
نشوادNashvAd A character in Shahnameh
نصیرNasir (A) Defender
نصیحNasih (A) Faithful; an adviser
نَستورNastour A character in Shahnameh (Goshtasb's brother)
نوندNavand Messenger, courier
نویدNavid = Novid Glad tidings, good news
نعمتNemat (A) A blessing
نیرَمNeyram =NarimAn
نظامNezAm (A) Order, discipline
نیکNik Good
نیکاNikA Name of a river in Iran
نیکاوNikAv -
نیک آهنگNikAhang Good music
نیکانNikAn/Neekon Good men
نیکنامNiknAm/Niknom Having a good name
نیکنیاNikniA
نیکروزNikrooz Good day
نیکزادNikzAd Of good birth
نیماNimA Small
نیمادNimAd/Nimod Good Judgement; The ability of good judgment
نینادNinAd/Ninod Patience
نیروNirou/Niroo Strength
نیوشاNiushA/NiyushA/NiyooshA A listener
نیوNiv Bold, brave
نیوادNivAd Courage, bravery
نیوندNivand Understanding
نیورادNivrAd/Nivrod Order, arrangement
نیوتورNivtour Pride
نیوزادNivzAd Son of a hero
نوروزNorouz/NoroozNew day
نصرتNosrat (A) Victory
نوزرNozar A character in Shahnameh (The 7th king of the mythical Pishdadi dynasty who was one Manouchehr's son)
نوژانNozhan/Nojan A pine tree
نوریNouri Light
نوشیروانNoushirvAn Name of a king of Persia
نوشزادNoushzAd /NushzAd Happily born; A character in Shahnameh (AnoushirvAn's son from his Christian wife)
نوبانNubAn/NoubAn A king's son
نوینNuvin/Novin A prince; the most excellent of anything
نویانNuyAn =NoyAn A prince

O
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اُخشانOkhshAn Posessing bulls; An old Persian name
اکتای = اختایOktAy (T) = OkhtAy (T)Name of one of Chengiz Khan's son who was one of his 4 successors; One who stays with his tribe or people (in Azerbaijani)
اُجایOjAy (T) Tall
امیدOmid/Omeed Hope
اُرندOrand Glory; A character in Shahnameh
اورنگOrang/Aurang A throne; wisdom, understanding; beauty
اوشنرOshnar A character in Shahnameh (KaykAvus' wise and cunning vizier)
اُوژنOzhan/Auzhan Hero, victorious

P
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پرنگParang The luster of a glittering sword
پردیسPardis Paradise
پرهامParhAm Abraham
پاریاPAriA/PAryA -
پارساPArsA Pure, chaste, devout, holy; Persian
پرشادParshad -
پرشندParshand Warrior
پرشینParshin -
پرتامPartAm Best
پرتاشPartAsh -
پرویزParviz Undefeatable; A character in Shahnameh
پاسادPAsAd/PAssAdDefense, preservation
پاشاPAshA (T) A Turkish name meaning a lord
پشنگPashang = Pashan A character in Shahnameh (AfrAsiyAb's father)
پاتونPAtune/PAtoon/Potune/PotoonA falcon marked with a distinguishing sign
پیامPayAm Message
پایندهPAyandeh Long live
پیدافرPaydAfar/PeydAfar -
پدرامPedrAm Adorned; glad, charming
پِشنگPeshang (K) Vanguard
پژمانPezhmAn/PejmAn Broken-hearted, sad
پُژمانPuzhmAn/PujmAn Desire, wish
پیوندPeyvand A connection, union
پیمانPeymAn Promise
پژواکPezhvAk An echo
پیرانPirAn A character in Shahnameh (Name of one of Afrasiyab's generals)
پیروزPirooz/Piruz/Pirouz Victorious; Name of a Sassanid king; also a character in Shahnameh
پولادPoulAd/PulAd Steel; a sword
پورنگPourang -
پوریاPouriyA /PuriyAAn Iranian warrior
پویاPouyA To search, searcher; running; runner
پویانPouyAn To search, searcher; running; runner

R
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رادRAd/RodGenerous, brave, generous youth
رادبدRAdbod/Rodbod Commander of war chariots
رادینRAdin/RodinFree
رادمانRAdmAn/Rodmon/RAdmon/RodmAnMunificent, generous
رادمنشRAdmanish/RodmanishMunificent, generous
رادمهرRAdmehr/RodmehrName of one of Darius III's generals
رهاRahA Free
رهادRahAd A traveler; a note in music
رهامRahAm A character in Shahnameh (Gudarz's son)
رحیمRahim (A) Merciful
راهزادRahzAd Name of Khosrow Parviz's general
راجیRAji (A) Hopeful
رخشانRakhshAn Flashing
رامبُدRAmbod Obedient
رامیRAmi (A) An archer
رامینRAmin A character in Shahnameh (One of Kay-khosrow's son); A character in the Persian romantic epic "Vis & Ramin"
رامتینRAmtin Famous musician during the Sassanid Dynasty
رامیادRAmyAd Obedient
رامیارRAmyAr Shepherd
Raouf/Ra'ouf/Raoof/Ra'oof (A) Kind
رسامRasAm Designer, painter
راستینRAstin True
رشیدRashid/Rasheed (A) Brave
رشینRashin/Rasheen Gum of the Poplar tree; Name of an ancestor of Afrasiyab
رسولRasoul/Rasool (A) Apostle
رایانRAyAn/ Ryon/RyAnKings
رازانRAzAn (K) Adorned
رازبانRAzbAnA confidant; a privy counsellor
رازیRAziA famous Persian alchemist, scientist and philosopher
رزینRazinStrong
رضاRezA (A) Consent, agreement; Name of 8th Imam of Shi'ites
رهامRohAm A character in Shahnameh (Goudarz's son); Guardian
رُکندینRokneddin Pillar of religion
روزبهRoozbeh/Ruzbeh /RouzbehFortunate; A character in Shahnameh (name of Bahram-gur's counsillor of state)
روشاکRoshAk /RushAk/RoushokBright; Name of Daruis' general who fought against Alexander the great
روشانRoshAn Light
رستمRostam /RustamA hero and warrior in Shahnameh
روئینRoyin/Rouin Brazen; A character in Shahnameh (PirAn's son who was killed by Bijan)
رایکا = ریکاRykA/RAykA = RikA/ReekAHandsome boy; beloved, wished for, desired; boy (in Mazandarani)

S
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صباSabA (A) A gentle breeze
صابرSAber (A) Patient
ثابتSAbet Stable, firm
صادقSAdegh (A) Sincere
صدریSadrA/Sadri Chief seat, judge
ساعدSa'ed/Saed (A)Helper
سعیدSaeed Happy, prosperous, lucky
SahAb (A) Companions
سهندSahand A mountain in Azarbaijan
ساحلSAhel (A) Beach, shore
صلاحSalAh (A) Integrity
صلاح الدینSalAhedin (A) The righteousness of the faith
سالارSAlAr Leader
سلیمSalim (A) Perfect
سلمSalm A character in Shahnameh (Fereydoon's eldest son)
سلمکSalmakName of a melody in Persian music (a gusheh of dastgah-e Shur)
سلمانSalmAn (A) Name of a friend of Ali; Name of an herb (Oriental wormwood)
سامSAm/SAlm A character in Shahnameh (NarimAn's son and Rostam's grandfather)
صمدSamad A lord, chief
سامانSAmAn Tranquility; order, arrangement; welfare; a good disposition
سمندSamandA noble steed; an arrow
سامیSAmi High, Elevated
سامینSAmin Name of a village in Iran
سمیرSamir (A) Entertaining companion
سمرادSamrAd/Samrod Imagination, thoughts
سامیارSAmyAr (Z) An old Zorastrian name
سنجرSanjar (T) Prince, emperor, king; Name of a Sultan of the Seljuk dynasty
سارنگSArang A small black bird
سردارSardAr A general
سریرSarirRainbow
سرمدSarmad Forever
سرمندSarmand -
سروادSarvAdOde, song
ساسانSAsAn/SAssAn Name of the grandfather of Ardeshir, founder of the Sassanid dynasty
ساتراپSAtrAp/SAtropSatrap
ستّارSattAr (A) Concealer
ساتیارSAtyAr
ساویزSAviz Of good morals or temper
صدیقSedigh (A) A sincere friend
سپندSepand Wild rue; name of a mountain
سپنتاSepantAHoly
سپنتمانSepantemAn/SpantemAnSurname of Zartosht
سپندارSepandAr A character in Shahnameh (Gushtasp's son)
سپهرSepehr Sky, the heavens, celestial globe
SerAj (A) Luminary; the sun
شباویزShabAviz Owl
شبدیزShabdiz Name of Khosrow Parviz's (Sassanid king) horse; Black as night
شادانShAdAn Happy, cheerful
شادمهرShAdmehr Kind; Cheerful
شادرخShadrokh Cheerful face
شادروزShAdrouz Joyous day
شادوردShAdvardHalo round the moon; royal throne; name of a note in music
شهابShahAb Shooting star, meteor
شهبالShahbAl Longest feather in the wing of a bird
شهبازShahbAz Royal falcon
شهبدShahbod
شهدادShahdAd Given by the king
شاهدShAhed Witness
شاهینShAhin Falcon
شهکامShahkAm The king's wish
شهنامShahnAm King's name
شهپرShahpar The longest feather in a bird
شهرابShahrAb -
شهرادShahrAdBrave king
شهرامShahrAm The king's obedient subject
شهربازShahrbarAz = ShahrvarAz An Iranian army commander during Sassanid dynasty
شهردادShahrdAd Gift of the city
شهریارShahriAr/ShahryAr The King
شاهرخShAhrokh Name of a Timurid king (Teymour's son); Title given to sons of nobility; the horn of a rhinoceros
شهروزShahruz/Shahrooz A great river
شاهورShAhvar -
شهیارShahyAr Friend of the king
شمیلShamil The north wind
شمساShamsA Sun, sunlight
شاپورShApour/Shapur = Shahpour/Shahpur Son of the king, prince; Name of 4 Sassani kings; A character in Shahnameh (One of Manouchehr's warriors)
شریفSharif (A) Noble; holy
شارودSharoudHalo round the moon
Sharzeh Strong
شایاShAyA Worthy
شایانShAyAn/ShyAn Worthy, deserving, meriting
شایگانShAygAn Worthy; anything worthy of a king or great man
شروینShervin = Sharvin Name of a couple of kings of the Bavand dynasty (which ruled Tabaristan in what is now northern Iran (Mazandaran)
شیداسبShidasb = Shidasp A character in Shahnameh (Goshtasb's son); Possessor of shining horses
شیدهShideh A character in Shahnameh (AfrAsiyAb's son)
شیدفرShidfar Glory of the sun
شیدوشShidoush A character in Shahnameh (Goudarz's son, and brother of Giv)
شیرویهShirouyeh -
شیروانShirvAn = ShervAnName of a city (a former Persian province in Caucasus, which is now part of Republic of Azerbaijan)
شیرزادShirzAd Brave, courageous
شجاعShojA Brave
شووانShowAn = ShwAn (K) Shepherd
شولانShowlAn (K) Lasso
سیامکSiAmak Black-haired man; A character in Shahnameh (Kiumars' son)
سیاوشSiAvosh = Siavash A character in Shahnameh (Kay-kavus' son)
سیرمانSirmAn/SirmonA ruby; embroidered silk
سیناSinA (A) Sinai
سینامSinAm Name of a fabled mountain with a pillared treasure-house
سیواSivA An apple
سهیلSoheil/Sohail (A) Name of a star
سهرابSohrAb A character in Shahnameh (Rostam's son); Rosy glow
سلیمانSoleymAn (A) Solomon
سورانSoorAn /SourAn/SurAnA starling
سرنا/سورنا = سرنایSornA/SurnA = SornAyA Persian Oboe
سورناSorenA/SurenA Iranian military leader during AshkAnian(Parthian) dynasty
سروشSoroush/Sorush Messenger angel
سوشیانتSoshiant/Soshyant/Sushiant/Sushyant (Z) The (final world) Savior
ستودهSotoudeh Blessed
سوفراSufarA/SoufarAA character in Shahnameh (Name of Kayghobad's vizir)

T
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تابالTAbAl Name of an Iranian commander of Kurosh the Great; Stable, strong
TahA -
تهمینTahminBrave
تهمتنTahamtan Powerful, mighty
طاهرTAher (A) Pure, chaste, clean
تهماسبTahmAseb A character in Shahnameh (last king of the PishdAdi dynasty); Having a strong horse
طهمورثTahmouress/Tahmooress Brave; A character in Shahnameh (Houshang's son and Jamshid's father)
تاجTAj Crown
تاجفرTAjfar -
تاجورTAjvar King
تلیمانTalimAn A character in Shahnameh (Name of a warrior in Fereydoon's army)
تیمورTeymour/Teymoor/Teymur/Taymoor (T) Iron; Name of the founder of the Timurid dynasty
تینوش / طینوشTinoush A character in Shahnameh
تیشتارTishtar Angel presiding over the star Sirius, which also directs the rain.
تیرانTirAn Arrows; Name of a king of AshkAniAn (Parthian) dynasty
تیربُدTirbod -
تیردادTirdAd Name of a king of AshkAniAn (Parthian) dynasty
تیرگرTirgar -
تیرنامTirnAm -
ترابTorAb Soil
طوفان / توفانToufAn/ToofAn (A) Storm
تورجTouraj/Tooraj = Tour/Toor A character in Shahnameh (One of Fereydoon's son who became the king of Tour)
تورکTourak An Iranian hero
طوس / توسTous /Tus/ ToussName of a city in Khorasan province (Ferdowsi's birthplace); A character in Shahnameh (Name of a great Iranian general, son of King Nozar)
توتکToutak/Tutak A money-chest; Name of a plant (cat-tail grass)

U
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UrumAn (T) Forest
UshAh Dawn
اوتبرUtabar Intelligent , wise
اوتاناUtAnA = OtAnAAn ally of King Darius I; One who has a good figure

V
Top
وفاVafA (A) Loyalty, faithfulness
وهابVahAb (A) A giver
وهبدVahbod -
وحدتVahdat (A) Unity
وحیدVahid (A) Unique
وهرزVahraz Name of one of Anoushiravan's generals
وجیحVajih (A) Of noble presence; handsome
والاVAlA Eminent, respectable
والهVAleh -
وندادVandAd -
واریانVAriAn/VAriyAnName of a place in Iran
وارتانVArtAn Name of a Persian king
واروژVAroozh -
ورفانVarfAn A mediator
ورجاوندVarjAvand Strong
ورشاسبVarshAsb ?
ویرافVirAf Name of the father of ardA
ویشپرVishpar -
ویشتاسبVishtAsb Name of the father of King Darius I; Possessor of many horses
ویسهVisseh A character in Shahnameh (the father of PirAn, Afrasiab's commander-in-chief)
ورناVornA Young, youthful
وُریاVoryA (K)
وشمگیرVoshmgir Name of a king; quail-catcher

Y
Top
یعقوبYaghoub (A) Jacob
یحییYahyA (A) John
یامینYamin (A) Strength; power; blessing
یارانYArAn A friend; a polite well-spoken man; a jovial companion
یاریYAri Friendship
یاشارYAshAr (T) Existing or living (in Azerbaijani)
یاوندYAvand King
یاورYAvar A friend, companion
یازانYAzAn Of tall stature
یزدانYazdAn Name of the spirit of goodness
یزدان بخشYazdAnbakhsh Name of the vazir of Hormoz
یزدانفرYazdAndfar The splendor of God
یزدگردYazdgerd The name 3 kings of the Sassanid dynasty
یونسYouness (A) Jonas/Jonah
یوسفYousef (A) Joseph

Z
Top
زابZAb To be helpful; Strong; A character in Shahnameh (The 8th king of the mythical Pishdadi dynasty who was Nozar's son)
زادفرZAdfar Glorious birth
زادمهرZAdmehr The offspring of the sun; born of the son
زاهدZAhed (A) Devout
زکریاZakariA Zachary/Zachariah
زالZAl A character in Shahnameh (Rostam's father)
ظفرZafar (A) Victory
زامیادZAmyAd Name of the 28th day of the Persian month; also of its presiding angel
زندZand The book of Zardosht
زراسبZarasp = Zarasb Characters in Shahnameh (Manouchehr's son; also the name of the son of Touss); Having a golden horse
زریرZarir A character in Shahnameh (Goshtasp's brother)
زرتشتZartosht Zoroaster; Golden Star
زروانZarvAn = Zurvan (Z) Time ; The god of time
زروندZarvAnd
زاورZAvar Powerful, mighty; The planet Venus
زوارهZavAreh A character in Shahnameh (Rostam's brother)
ژرفاZharfA Depth
ژاژهZhAzeh ?
ژکفرZhakfar Very patient
ژامکZhAmak Small poem
ژیانZhiAn Formidable
ژیانفرZhiAnfar Formidable
ژوبینZhoubin/Joubin A sort of spear
ضیاZiA Light






Last modified: Feb. 2007
thanks from Maryam Kutchemeshgi

IRANIAN PEOPLES

Aryans' Immigration


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By: Dr Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi








An autosomal DNA plot of genetic distances derived from 120 allele frequencies in Cavalli-Sforza's "The History and Geography of Human Genes"

The overwhelming majority of historical sources regard the people of present Persia (Iran) descendants of Aryans who are thought to have migrated from some far northern land towards south including the present land of Persia, destroyed native people and civilizations and replaced them. The date of this great migration is speculated to be sometimes between 3000 to 5000 years ago. Similarly, speculations on the point of origin of this great history-making shift includes a vast area from west, north and center of Europe to east of Asia, Baltic Sea, Scandinavian peninsula, north plains of central Asia and Caucasus, Siberia and even the north pole. This very disagreement and lack of unquestionable evidences on the exact geographical homeland of these Aryans point to the soundlessness of such speculations. Most of contemporary historical texts end the account of the land of origin and this great migration with a few short obscure and inexact statements without giving any sound reasons for such an important move. They usually suffice to present a map with a few large arrows drawn from Siberia to Caspian Sea and central plains of Persia.


The persistence of above dubious speculations is very interesting because it is now a known historical fact that the basic underlying reason for any human migration and shift of civilization is always a quest to find ‘better living conditions’ and in antiquity this ‘better living conditions’ basically meant more water and fertile land. Therefore, if on one hand we manage to prove that natural and climatic environment of Iranian Plateau was one of the most suitable one for human settlements at that time and on the other hand show that life conditions on far northern regions of this plateau (i.e. the hypothetical origin of Aryans) were far away from what is called ‘suitable environment,’ then not only we can seriously question the validity of the above theories in relation to the path and direction of the above migration, but show that it most probably took place in the opposite direction, that is from Persia (Iran) to other parts of the world.


As any population increase can only occur under most suitable ecological conditions, the first urgent question is how could this occur under such harsh freezing cold conditions as Siberia to give rise to the idea of migration to a climatically more favorable environment such as Persia? More interesting is the fact that this unsound undocumented theory is continuing to perpetuate while none of the archaeological and geological field studies carried out in the region in question (i.e. the hypothetical original land of Aryans) show traces and signs of the presence of any significant settlements there.
In this article we put forward a more documented hypothesis that Persians or Iranians did not migrate to Persia with Aryans, but it was Aryans, including native people of Persia or Iran that migrated ‘in Iran’ and ‘from Iran’ to other parts of the world.




Climatological Evidences
The last ice age on earth began approximately 14000 years ago and ended around 10000 years ago. These ice ages led to formation of huge glaciers and icebergs in poles and rainfall in mid altitudes including Persia. Sedimentations of inner craters reveal that during warm periods between ice ages, Persia witnessed intense rainfalls that resulted in the emergence of humid climate and forestation on the Iranian plateau and during the cold time of ice ages welcomed cold dry weather. Archaeo-geological evidences show that around 10000 years ago and with the termination of the last ice age, warm humid climatic started to rule Iran. They also show that with the onset of warm humid period and retraction of icebergs to the north pole, the amount of rainfall gradually increased until it reached 4 to 5 times of its present amount around 5500 to 6000 years ago. Subsequently the water level of regional seas rose and reached its highest level filling up all the hollows, deserts, valleys and waterways. This is the period that in various mythologies is referred to as Jamshid’s era and Noah’s Flood. An increase in rainfall and floods occurred once more around 4500 years ago, but it soon started to decline and a drought and hot dry climate started to emerge around 4000 years ago reaching its climax about 3800 years ago. This coincided with the great shift of civilization in the Iranian plateau and decline and disappearance of many of ancient settlements, cities and villages in Persia.


The warm humid climate that occurred 4000 to 1000 years ago led to emergence of lush vegetation and massive forests all over Persia and even on present dry barren deserts. In that period of tremendous forestation and regression of deserts, a green flourishing land emerged in great Persia and northern regions of present Afghanistan were covered with vast savannas and humid lush meadows. Abundant forests in north of Afghanistan and particularly its west side called Badgheys (Vaiti gaes in Avesta) is referred to in Pahlavi version of Bundahisn (primal creation or cosmology) as follows: “Vatgisan is a place full of trees.” This climatic situation of north of present Afghanistan is described in historical texts of middle ages. In his moruj ol-zahab, Massudi speaks of the beautiful city of Balkh (Bactria) with its lush vegetations and numerous fields. Vaez Balkhi speaks of hundred thousand trees of Balkh in his Virtues of Balkh and quoting Shahriyar Samanid, Nezami Arouzi regards it a superior heaven due to its flourishing green land and Farih Sayah, considers meadows of Badgheys the best in Asia. Today, large parts of Badgheys and Balkh consist of dry sand deserts. They are particularly seen around Kerman and Sistan with far greater vastness, while in historical texts of two millennia ago refer to the presence of forests and meadows in these areas. At that time, Persia possessed rich meadows and wild animals. Many ponds, marshes and lakes with sweet water which were the dwelling place of aquatic animals and birds and many vast lush forests and reedy lands existed there. According to the above data, the warm rainy climate ruled all over Persia from 4000 to 10000 years ago. In addition, the surface of the earth, rivers and their springs was lower and that of lakes and ponds higher than today. Consequently all main craters, hollows and low lands on the shores of lakes, valleys and deserts and present dry rivers were filled with abundant sweet water and Persia was entirely covered with flourishing vast meadows and possessed rich animal and plant products, thus a suitable place for human life.




Archaeological Evidences
Archaeological findings and indications also affirm the presence of warm humid climatic conditions throughout Persia from 4000 – 10000 years ago. On one hand a great part of local ancient hills and old settlements studied so far belong to the same period of 6000 years of warm rainy climate, dispersed along barren deserts, dry rivers and salt marshes which points to the existence of better climatic conditions at the time of their emergence and persistence. Establishment of these civilizations along dry salty deserts indicate that there must have been abundant amount of sweet water with present dry rivers next to those hills providing sufficient amount of drinking water for the inhabitants of nearby cities and villages. On the other hand, there is no sign of ancient hills by the shores of present seas. Ancient hills located in the south or by the shores of the Persian Gulf are separated by hundred kilometers which indicates that during the ice ages, the water level of south seas must have been lower than today and with the increase of the water level, all human settlements were sunk. Meanwhile, in between the ice ages when the water level of south seas was higher and the surface of the earth was lower and sedimentations resulting from the three rivers, Tigris, Euphrates and Karoon were less, the Persian Gulf extended to Susa and Sumeria. Sumerian inscriptions deal with the penetration of water into Mesopotamia and refer to the city of Erido as a city located by seashores. Ancient settlements in the north were only a few kilometers away from the shores of Caspian Sea which shows that its water level must have been higher than today. In addition, the remainders of ancient dams, including those over valleys and waterways of Khajeh Mountain in Sistan indicate the presence of higher amount of rainfall at that time. Those dams provided the required water for temples and other buildings located on top of the Khajeh Mountain. Today, not only those waterways, but also the Hamoun Lake have dried up. Recent short periods of drought in Persia showed that even a short period of decreased rainfall is enough to dry out lakes, ponds and large rivers and consequently lead to rapid destruction of animal and vegetation life. Drying out of the Arjan Lake in Fars and the Zayandeh Rud River in Esfahan are prominent examples of such threatening phenomenon. Archaeological indications and existing sedimentations prove the occurrence of numerous floods around 5500 years ago. An example is the findings derived from excavations of Qarah Tapeh by Mir Abedin Kaboli in Qomrud region carried out with the goal of recording changes resulting from those floods. On the basis of Mir Abedin Kaboli’s findings, a tremendous flood occurred around 5500 years ago that led to abandonment of Qomrud region and immigration of people to higher neighboring regions.


In addition, images of gazelle, elephant, deer and aquatic birds and animals including even turtles, fish and crabs point to favorable climatic conditions in those areas at the flourishing time of corresponding civilizations. Here it is necessary to refer to a vital point. Up to now, with the exception of some dispersed scant evidences (such as collective or hill graves) found on the northern parts of the Aral Lake, scientists have found no evidence for the presence of any significant human settlement in any of those regions regarded as the original Aryan home land – that is Siberia, north of central Asia and Caucasus – during the time when favorable climatic conditions for the growth of human societies ruled over the Iranian Plateau. What has been found in those areas so far have just been cold non-inhabitable weather and icebergs remaining from ice ages and any trace of civilization found there, usually belong to later ages and as the result of migration of Iranians and other tribes to those regions.




Mythological Evidences and Old Texts
From the mythological point of view, the famous story of the great flood – found in various forms in almost all major cultures of the world - is a reminder of the existence of some actual humid rainy period on earth in the past. In Pahalvi texts, including Bundahisn, we read that Tishtar (star of rain) produced such tremendous amount of rain that later gave rise to all seas and consequent rise of water on earth led to division of dry lands into seven regions or countries.


A demon (div) called Mahrak Usha in Vidivdat (pronounced as Vandidad in Persian, old Zoroastrian text), Malkush in some Pahlavi Epistles and Malkus in Menok i Xrat (Minu-ye Kherad, heavenly reason) is a terrifying demon who brings tremendous amount of rain, snow and hail for years on earth. According to Vidivdat, Ahuramazda warns Jamshid about it and orders him to make a shelter called Var to tend a pair of all creatures of the world, from humans to birds and animals and plants and seeds, also fire and all other useful things under it until the defeat of that demon when the flood subdued and favorable life conditions started to re-appear again. Similarly, Hindus believe that Manu was caught in a great storm, but Vishnu who had turned himself into a fish with a large horn, led Manu’s ship to land on northern mountains. Vishnu had warned Manu about the storm before and had ordered him to be prepared for it. When the ship safely landed on those mountains Manu ordered the seven scientists the pair of all living creatures of the earth on board leave the ship and populate the earth again. Manu had seeds of all plants with him too. The phrase ‘northern mountains’ often found in legends of Indians living along the shores of Sand and Punjab Rivers is a clear allusion to their migration from Pamir and Badakhshan mountains in present Afghanistan which were important regions of Persia once. Another version of the great storm is the Noah’s Flood whose oldest account belongs to Sumerians. Later, it was adopted by Babylonians and Acadians and finally appeared in the Testament. The story of flood is also found in ancient Chinese texts. According to Books of Bamboo written under the reign of Yu, the founder of Shia dynasty, a great flood seized the entire Chinese empire up to highest hills. Yu competently managed to subdue it in a period of thirteen years.


References to ancient seas that no longer exist are also found in the works of famous Persian scientist, Abu Reyhan Birooni. In his book called tahdid nahayaat ol-amaaken, when writing about the construction of the Suez Channel by Persian kings, Birooni speaks of a sea in the place of Egyptian low lands; a sea whose description is also found in Herodotus’ writings. Birooni believed that this sea used to be so vast that ships not only traveled on the Nile River, but on present dry lands surrounding the Pyramids which they passed when heading for Memphis. Oral legends and stories narrated by the people living in the central dry land of Iranian plateau today, approves of the existence of a huge sea instead of the present deserts. I have listened to various stories in cities of Damghan, Saveh, Kashan, Zavvareh, Meybod, Naa-inn, and Yazd which refer to a large sea, numerous islands, seaports and harbors and even to pharos.


Finally, we should point out two other facts. The first is the account of the second fargard of Videvdat and expansion of land and population increase under the reign of Jamshid and their migration toward Nimrouz (midday) and the path of sun. To me the phrase toward Nimrouz or south is an allusion to hot midday sun and the temperature increase and not to a new dwelling land. The supplementary phrase ‘the path of sun’ clarifies the direction of dispersion which is from east to west. The other fact is the story of Fereydoon in Ferdosi’s Shahnameh and division of kingship between his three sons, Iraj, Salm and Tur which is an allusion to Iranian migration from the heart of Persia to eastern and western lands and the subsequent war that Salm and Tur waged against their small brother is an allusion to inhabitants of eastern and western regions of Persia waging war against their original homeland.


However, after this golden age, that is around 3800 to 4000 years ago, a great drought and famine occurred and the warm humid period is followed by a hot dry age. At that time the water level lowered rapidly and smaller lakes and rivers dried out creating a great crisis for human settlements. The crisis that started with water shortage rapidly led to shortage of food, stagnation and destruction of agriculture, expansion of deserts, destruction of meadows and natural environment with numerous grave consequences. The drought drove people, who had descended from heights after the flood and brought about prosperity to their previous lands, to search for more suitable living places and migrate in spite of their will. This of course led to disputes, struggles, wars on the existing scarce resources and subsequent evident destructions and ruins proved by archaeological excavations of nearly all ancient Persian hills as ‘the end of human life around 4000 years ago together with a layer of ruins and ash.’ This layer of ruins and ash is not the result of Aryan attack, but the result of struggles and wars on limited human resources which lasted until 3500 years ago. This is a period that we scarcely find any traces of life in ancient hills, except in a few site situated in the western south regions and Mesopotamian cities. These years of relative silence in the history of Persia is very similar to the reign of Zahak in Ferdosi’s Shahnameh.


At the end of this period and concurrently with the onset of Iron Age, that is around 3500 years ago, the weather gradually started to ameliorate and prepared the grounds for expansion and prosperity of new Persian civilizations which regained their previous favorable climatic environment around 2800 years ago.


On the basis of above facts, the theory of Aryan migration from north toward the present Persia and Asia Minor does not seem feasible. What is more probable is that Aryans are native people who lived on this land due to its most favorable living conditions since antiquity. This is supported by abundant traces of civilizations found while there is no trace of any similar settlements in any nearby places. Cultural and civil changes of the Iron Age are indeed the rational development of the Bronze Age and not the result of the arrival of another tribe to the region. These native Aryans migrated to the high lands during the intense increase in rainfall and returned to their previous lowlands after the intense decrease in rainfall. They migrated from the heart of Persia at least twice after the great flood:
1- Once after regression of seas and lakes and drying out of marshes remaining from the great flood when they descended from neighboring mountains and migrated to fertile lands and sedimentary plains which was naturally a vertical migration from high to low lands. The onset of these shifts was in the middle of the humid warm period and after the intense rainfalls known as the storm of Jamshid’s reign or the Noah’s Flood in 5500 years ago. Two great migrations are two examples of this kind of migration: first the Aryan Indian migration from the Hindukoush Mountains to newly dried out lands of Panjab and shores of the Sand River recorded in Rig Vedas. The second is the Elamite and Sumerian migration from western mountains of Persia to newly dried marshes of Khuzestan and Mesopotamia. There are clear references to the Sumerian migration from ‘the east’ to Sumeria or Shinar in the Old Testament (Genesis, chapter one). They brought the idea of establishment of a new civilization to the Nile valley and Egypt. There are also hypotheses about Phoenician migration from shores of the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean shores. On the other hand, we know Sumerians were physically very similar to present inhabitants of Baluchestan and Afghanistan and the Sand Valley. Their artistic and architectural works testify that the Sumerian civilization and the north west Indian civilization were similar to eastern Persian civilization and perhaps undoubtedly originate from the same source. Recent excavations by Yusef Majidzadeh in Jiroft are additional proof for such hypothesis.


2- Once again, there were migrations during the drought occurring 3500 to 4000 years ago in search of more suitable dwelling places from Persia or in Sumerian words from “Sacred motherland” to other lands, abandoning living places prepared 5500 years ago and in which they lived 1500 years due to climatic unpleasant events.


3- Various tribes and peoples lived in the ancient land of great Persia; one and perhaps the general cultural name of all of them was Aryan. All present Persian tribes and people are offspring of those old tribes and people, including Aryans who migrated many times in harmony with climatic changes from high to low lands and vice versa. It is not possible to attribute the beginning of Persian history to the idea of a migration in an unknown time, from an unknown place, to an un destination and through unknown path and only regard them as the ancestors of present Persians.


4- In ancient Persian beliefs, ‘North’ or “Apakhtar” is the headquarter of Ahriman (devil), the dwelling place of div-s (demons) and evil-doers on the entrance way to Hell. If the northern lands were Persian original motherland, they would never talk about it in this way. On the basis of all the above facts discussed here briefly, it seems that Persians (Iranians) did not migrate with Aryans to Persia (Iran), but migrated ‘in Persia’ and ‘from Persia’ and moved to other places.


For further detail and bibliographical sources refer to “Aryan Migrations and the Climatic State of Ancient Persian Seas” (Sec. Edition, Tehran, 2005) by the author of this article.