Rostam

Sohrab

Persian · “From Old Persian or Middle Persian, possibly meaning "red water" or "brilliant red" (from "sūr" meaning red/brilliant and "āb" meaning water). Sohrab is the tragic son of Rostam in the Shahnameh — a young hero of extraordinary bravery who travels to find his father, only to meet him in single combat, where neither recognizes the other until Sohrab is mortally wounded.”

Kaveh

Persian · “From Avestan "Kavi" or Old Persian "Kāva", relating to the ancient priestly-royal caste of seers in Iranian tradition. In the Shahnameh, Kaveh the Blacksmith is the heroic commoner who rises against the serpent tyrant Zahhak and whose leather apron, raised as a standard, becomes the legendary Derafsh Kaviani — the royal banner of Persia for over a thousand years.”

Tahmineh

Persian · “From Persian "Tahmineh", possibly derived from Middle Persian elements meaning "strong" or "the mighty one". In the Shahnameh, Tahmineh is the daughter of the King of Samangan who seeks out the hero Rostam to bear his child, and becomes the mother of the tragic Sohrab — a woman who acts with agency and desire in a world that rarely allows women either.”

Zal

Persian · “From the Persian "Zāl", meaning the white-haired or albino one — Zal was born with snow-white hair, considered an ill omen in ancient Iran, which caused his father Sam to abandon him on a mountaintop, where the mythical bird Simurgh raised him. Zal becomes a great hero and the father of the legendary Rostam, his unusual appearance a marker of the extraordinary destiny that sets him apart from ordinary men.”

Pirouz

“From Middle Persian "Pērōz" meaning victorious, triumphant, or successful — one of the most ancient and auspicious Persian names, borne by several Sassanid kings, including Peroz I. The name conveys the Persian ideal of military and personal triumph, the one who overcomes obstacles and emerges victorious from every trial.”

Bahar

“Directly from the Persian word "bahār" meaning spring — the season of renewal, blossoming flowers, and returning life after winter. Spring is the most celebrated season in Persian poetry and culture, associated with Nowruz (Persian New Year), youth, beauty, and the short-lived intensity of bloom before the heat of summer.”

Golnaz

“From Persian "gol" (flower, rose) and "nāz" (coquetry, grace, pride, affectation), meaning "the grace of the flower" or "the coquetry of the rose". In Persian, "nāz" carries a positive connotation of the endearing affectation and playful coyness of a beloved — an untranslatable quality of graceful pride that makes someone irresistible.”

Nasrin

“From the Persian word "nasrīn" meaning wild rose or eglantine, referring to the delicate climbing rose that grows in Persian gardens and has been celebrated in Persian poetry for its beauty and fragrance since antiquity. The wild rose is a central symbol of beauty, love, and transience in the Persian poetic tradition.”

Mirza

“From Persian "Mirzā", a contraction of "Amīrzādeh" meaning "born of a prince" or "son of a prince/lord" — from "amir" (prince) and "zādeh" (born of, son of). The title Mirza was used across the Persian, Mughal, and Ottoman empires as an honorific for men of noble birth and later as a mark of education and gentility even among the non-noble.”

Scheherazade

“From Persian "Shahrazad", compounded from "shahr" (city) and "azad" (free, noble-born), meaning "city-born" or "of noble urban lineage". Some scholars derive "shahr" from Old Persian meaning "wide kingdom", giving the meaning "of the wide realm". Shahrazad is the iconic frame narrator of One Thousand and One Nights, who saves her life by telling stories night after night.”