By Tahir Kabuli It would be quit shocking for our people to name a newly born child, George, Fing Len Su, or Chandra Gupta. Indeed, it should be shocking because these names are all foreign and should never be used by our people. However, the irony is that though we consider such names as foreign and avoid using them, we are overly using Arabic names which are foreign too. The Arab invaders not only brought their religion but also imposed many aspects of their culture on us. These undesirable effects of Arabs will not go away unless we effectively and aggressively discard them and promote our culture instead.
The following is a list of Tajik names. Some are commonly used, some rarely and some are but forgotten. Every single of them has a well defined meaning that is deeply attached to our history, culture and our identity. Let's avoid using Arabic names. Let's capture our own essence. Let's use our own Tajik names. In future, as time permits, this list will be completed with full meaning of the names along with a historical description wherever necessary.
Girls Name Name | Literal Meaning | Afareen | Praise; also means to create | Afsana | Legend, a fairy tale | Afsar | Crown | Afshan | To Sprinkle | Afsoon | Charm, spell, bewitchment | Anahita | Name of an ancient goddess | Anoosheh | Happy, fortunate | Ara | Ornament, decoration | Arezo | Wish | Arghavan | Redish Purple | Armaghan | Gift | Asa | Like, similar to | Asal | Honey | Ava or Awa | Voice, call | Avizeh | A pendant | Azar | Fire, also name of a month | Azin | Ornamental accessories like jewelry | Bahar | Spring ( season) | Baharah | Someone who brings the spring | Baharak | Small Spring (season) | Banafshah | A flower | Banou | Lady | Behnaz | Best coquetry | Behrukh | Best face, beautiful | Belour or Belourine | Crystal | Bizhan | Name of a character from Shahnameh | Boosah | Kiss | Darya | River, Sea | Delaram | Quiet-hearted | Delbar | Charming, Sweetheart | Delkash | Fascinating, attractive | Delruba | Heart robber/attractor | Dorri | A glittering star | Farahnak | Mother of Fraidun from Shahnameh | Farahnaz | Splendid coquetry, glorious coquetry, joy | Faranghis | A female character from Shahnameh. | Farhana | . | Farkhonda | Happy, joyous | Farrin | Glorified | Farrukh | . | Farzaneh | Wise, smart | Freshta | Angel | Fila | Lover | Firoza | A kind of precious stone. Also color of the same stone, blue. | Forogh | Brightness | Forozan | Shining | Forozenda | Shining | Freba | Charming, enticing, deceptive/seductive | Fruzan | Glowing, shining | Gawhar | Jewel | Geesou | Women's hair, ringlet, tress | Ghoncheh | Bud of a flower | Giti | World | Golbahar | flower of Spring | Gulgun | . | Gulnar | Flower of the pomegranate tree | Gulnaz | Beautiful and delicate like a flower | Gulnessa | . | Gulpari | Beautiful as pari and delicate as flower | Gulshan | A place or garden full of flowers | Gurdia | A female character from Shahnameh | Hangahma | Uproar, wonder, marvel | Hasti | Existence | Huma | A mythical high flying bird symbolizing free spirit and freedom. | Jahan Ara | . | Javaneh | Sprout, young | Katayoun | A female character from Shahnameh | Khandan | Smiling | Khaterah | Memory | Khojasta | Auspicious | Khorsheed | Sun | Lala | Tulip | Lila | The lilac tree | Lily | A kind of flower | Mahasti | . | Mahdokht | Daughter of the Moon, or as beautiful as Moon | Mahnaz | . | Mahrukh | A face like moon. Beautiful | Mahsa | Like moon | Mahtab | Moon | Mahwash | Moon-like | Manizha | A female character from Shahnameh | Marjan | Coral | Marmar | Marble | Mastana | Joyous or carefree | Mehrangiz | Affectionate, to cause affection | Mehrnaz | . | Mehrnoosh | . | Mehry | Affectionate, kind | Mina | Enamel | Minoo | Paradise, heaven | Mitra | Name of an ancient God | Mona | Name of a God | Murwarid | Pearl | Muzghan | Eyelashes | Muzhdah | Good news | Nahal | A young plant | Najela | Cute | Nargis | A kind of flower | Nasreen | A kind of flower | Nastaran | A kind of flower | Nava | Tune | Naz | . | Naz gul | . | Nazaneen | . | Nazhin | . | Nazhla | . | Nazy | Cute | Neelab | Blue water | Neelufar | A kind of flower | Negar | Sweetheart | Negeen | Precious stone(usually on ring) | Negha | Look | Niki | Goodness | Nikoo | Beautiful, good | Nousafarin | Creator of joy | Noushin | Sweet | Padidah | Phenomenon | Parand | Silk | Parastoo | A kind of bird (ghuchi) | Pareeya | . | Pari | A mythical and beautiful creature, fairy | Paricheher | Beautiful, having a beautiful face like Pari (fairy) | Parirow | Beautiful, having a face like pari (fairy) | Parisa | Like a fairy | Pariwash | Like a fairy | Parwana | Butterfly | Parween | Name of a star | Paymaneh | Measuring cup | Paywand | Connection | Poran dokht | A female character in Shahnemah | Rasa | Expressive stature | Roudabeh | A character from Shahnameh | Rukhshan/Rukhsana | Name of an ancien princess of Bactria, Roxanne | Saaman | A kind of flower, Jasmin | Saghar | Wine cup | Sahar | Dawn | Sahba | Wine | Sapedah | Dawn | Seema | Face | Setara | Star | Shabnam | Dew | Shadan | . | Shahla | . | Shahnaz | . | Shahrbano | Lady of the town, beautiful lady who is known by whole town for beauty | Shahrnaz | The towns favorite | Shahrzad | Born in city | Shahzadah | Prince or Princess, born of a king | Shameem | Breeze | Shararah | Sparks or flames of fire | Sheeftah | Fascinated or captivated | Sheela | . | Sheeva | Charming | Shervin | . | Shirin | Sweet | Shirin bano | Sweet lady | Shogofa | Blossom | Shokouh | Splendor | Sholah | Flames | Simin | Silvery, of silver | Soudabah | A female character from Shahnameh | Souzan | Burning | Tahminah | A female character from Shahnameh | Tanaz | | Taneen | | Tara | Star | Tarana | Song | Taranum | | Yagana | Unique, single | Yakta | Unique, single | Yalda | Name of the longest night of the year | Yasaman | Jasmin | Zarrin | Golden | Zarrin dokht | Golden girl | Zarrina | Golden | Zeba | . | Zhalah | . | Zheela | . |
Boy's Name Name | Literal Meaning | Anoushirvan | Name of a king | Arash | . | Ardavan | A character in Shahnameh | Ardshir | A character in Shahnameh | Armeen | A character in Shahnameh | Aryan | Noble | Arzhang | A character in Shahnameh | Ashkan | . | Atash | Fire | Awrang | Wisdom | Azad | Free | Azada | Free | Azarkhsh | . | Azerm | . | Babak | A character in Shahnameh | Bahman | . | Bahram | A character in Shahnameh | Bamdad | Early morning | Behnam | Someone with good and honorable name | Behrang | Good color | Behruz | Fortunate, someone who is having good day or time | Behzad | Of good breed or race | Buzurgmehr | Very kind, also a character in Shahnameh | Dara | Rich, also a character in Shahnameh | Darab | A character in Shahnameh | Daryush | Name of a king | Dehqan | Farmer | Esfandyar | A character in Shahnameh | Faramarz | A character in Shahnameh | Faraz | Of high status, above, on top | Fardad | . | Fardin | . | Farhad | . | Farhang | Of good breeding | Fariad | Cry, scream, out spoken. | Fariborz | A character from Shahnameh. | Farrukh | Happy, fortunate | Farrukhzad | . | Farshad | Happy | Farzad | Splendid birth | Farzam | Worthy, befitting | Farzann | Wise | Farzin | Learned | Feda | Sacrifice | Firuz or Piruz | Victor, successful | Forood | A character from Shahnameh. | Fraidun | A character from Shahnameh. | Fruhar | . | Giv | A character from Shahnameh. | Goudarz | A character from Shahnameh. | Gulab | . | Gushtasb | A character from Shahnameh. | Hamasa | Achievement, accomplishment, heroic act. | Hoshang | A character from Shahnameh. | Houshmand | Wise | Housyar | Wise | Human | A character from Shahnameh. | Humayon | Royal, fortunate | Hurmoz | A character from Shahnameh. | Iraj | A character from Shahnameh. | Jahandar | Owner of the world | Jahangeer | Conqueror of the world | Jahanshah | King/Emperor of the World | Jawid | Everlasting | Kaihan/ Kaiyan | World, Universe | Kaikhosrow | A character from Shahnameh. | Kaiqubad | A character from Shahnameh. | Kambiz | Fortunate | Kamran | Successful, fortunate | Kamshad | Successful | Kamyar | Successful | Kanishka | . | Kasra | A character from Shahnameh. | Kavah | A character from Shahnameh. | Kavoos | A character from Shahnameh. | Khashyar | Name of an ancient king | Khoram | . | khosrow | A character from Shahnameh. | Khuda dad | God given | Kia | King, protector, defender | Kianoosh | A character from Shahnameh. | Kiumars | A character from Shahnameh. | Kohyar | . | Kosha | Diligent, hard working | Koshan | . | Kourash | An ancient king | Mahyar | A character from Shahnameh. | Mani | . | Manuchehar | A character from Shahnameh. | Mazdak | . | Mehrab | A character from Shahnameh. | Mehrak | A character from Shahnameh. | Mehran/Mehrang | A character from Shahnameh. | Mehrdad | Gift of the sun, a gift given by the sun | Mehrzad | Born of the son | Morad | Wish, or desire | Namdar | Famous | Namvar | Famous | Naraiman | A character from Shahnameh. | Neda | . | Niyoosha | A listener | Noushzad | . | Omaid | Hope | Padshah | King | Paghahan | . | Pagzman | . | Paikan | . | Paiman | Promise | Parsa | Pure, devout or holy | Parwaaze | A character from Shahnameh. | Payam | Message | Pazhman | Heart broken, sad | Pendar | Contemplation, thought | Poya | Searcher | Qiomars | A character from Shahnameh. | Qubad | A character from Shahnameh. | Rastin | Truthfulness, sincerity integrity | Rohina | . | Roozbeh | Fortunate | Roshan | . | Royan | . | Rozi | | Rukhshan | Flashing | Rustam | A character from Shahnameh. | Salar | Leader | Sam | A character from Shahnameh. | Saman | Home, welfare | Sasan | Founder of the Sassanian Dynasty | Sepehr | Sky | Shadan | . | Shahbaz | Royal falcon | Shaheen | Falcon | Shahpur | A character from Shahnameh. | Shahram | The king's obedient subject | Shahrdad | Gift of the city | Shahrukh | Face of the king | Shahryar | Friend of the city | Shahryar | Friend of the king | Shaya | Worthy | Shayan | Worthy or deserving | Shuhab | Shooting star or meteor | Siamak | Black-haired man | Siamu | A character from Shahnameh. | Siawash | A character from Shahnameh. | Sina | . | Soroush | An angel, messenger | Sougand | . | Suhrab | A character from Shahnameh. | Tahmaseb | A character from Shahnameh. | Toktam | . | Tooraj | A character from Shahnameh. | Tora | . | Toramana | . | Varshasb | A character from Shahnameh. | Veda | . | Vishtasb | A character from Shahnameh. | Yama | . | Zal | A character from Shahnameh. | Zand | . | Zardusht | Zoroaster | Old Tajik Names from Avesta
The following list of names is taken from Khordah Avesta and the meaning of the names comes from an English translation of Khorda Avesta. These names are used in Avesta to refer to the Wise Lord, Auramazda
1. A-duî (Without dualism) 2. A-chem (Without cause) 3. A-khuãn (Sleepless) 4. A-bîsh (Above suffering) 5. A-tars (Fearless) 6. A-farmôsh (All-remembering) 7. A-zamân (Timeless) 8. A-gûmãn (Above doubt) 9. A-farefah (Undeceiver) 10. A-satôh (Unconquerable) 11. Âb-tum (Creator of Water) 12. Abadah (Without beginning) 13. Abarîn-nô-tavãn (The Great Rejuvenator) 14. Abarîn-kuhan tavãn (Lord of Creation from time unknown) 15. Abarvand (Above all) 16. Abarzâ (All-bestower) 17. Abî-anjãm (Without end) 18. Âdar-nam-gar (Maker of vapor (water) by fire) 19. Âdar-Kîbarît-tum (Maker of fire out of stone) 20. Âdar-bâd-gar (Maker of smoke (gas) by fire) 21. Âdarô (Most Righteous) 22. Âekh-tan (Unique) 23. Afazâ (Helper) 24. Afrâzdum (Most Glorious) 25. Agarâ gar (Creator of four elements of nature) 26. Agarâgar-gar (Creator of constellation of stars) 27. Ahû (Lord of Life) 28. Ahuramazd (Lord of Creation and Wisdom) 29. Âin-âênah (Unchanging) 30. Âmasht (Clever) 31. Amînô-gar (Creator of High spirituality) 32. An-aiyâfah 33. An-aoshak (Immortal) 34. Ân-âinah (Formless) 35. Avakshhiâêyâ (Generous) 36. Awakshîdâr (Forgiver) 37. Bâd-gar-jâê (Creator of Wind) 38. Bâd-nam-gar (Maker of water out of vapor) 39. Bâd-gerad-tum (Maker of air and earth) 40. Bâd-âdar-gar (Maker of fire out of gases) 41. Bâd-gêl-gar (Maker of ashes (earth) out of gas) 42. Bê-farêfah (Undeceivable) 43. Bêsh-tarnâ (Compassionate) 44. Bôkhtâr (Redeemer) 45. Bûneshtêh (Root of Creation) 46. Chamag (Great Cause) 47. Chamanâ (Cause of all causes) 48. Dâdâr (Creator of justice) 49. Dâvar (Dispenser of justice) 50. Farmãn-kãm (His Will is Law) 51. Farsak (Fulfiller of wishes) 52. Fashûtanâ (Careful Progressor) 53. Fîrôzgar (Victorious) 54. Frâkhtan-têh (Final end) 55. Frashôgar (Frashagar - Resurrector) 56. Gar-â-gar (Creator of men) 57. Gar-ô-gar (Granter of wishes) 58. Gar-gar (Great Artificer) 59. Gar-â-gar-gar (Creator of all Creation) 60. Gêl-nam-gar (Creator of Water out of earth) 61. Gêl-vâd-gar (Creator of Gas out of earth) 62. Gêl-âdar-gar (Creator of Fire out of earth (as in a volcano)) 63. Gîrâ (All Controlling) 64. Ham-aiyâfah (All understanding) 65. Ham-chûn (The Same) 66. Hamârnâ (Reckoner) 67. Har-nek-farêh (Best Auspicious Khoreh (Aura)) 68. Har-hamîd (All-helping) 69. Harvastum (Most Supreme) 70. Harvesp tavãn (All-powerful) 71. Harvesp khudâ (Master of All) 72. Harvesp âgâh (All-knowing) 73. Hu-sepâs (Worthy of praise) 74. Iyânah (Protector of Creation) 75. Kãmêrad (Master of His Will) 76. Kêrfêgar (Master of righteousness) 77. Khâwar (All-kindness) 78. Khôremand (Brilliant) 79. Khrôshîdtum (Firm amongst firm) 80. Khudâvand (Master of Creation) 81. Khvâfar (Benevolent Judge) 82. Mînô nahab (Hidden in spirituality) 83. Mînô-stîh-gar (Creator of astral world) 84. Mînôtum (Invisible) 85. Nâshâ (Dispenser of equitable justice) 86. Padmânî (Just) 87. Pajôh-dahad (Creator of good nature) 88. Parjatarah (Best of all) 89. Parvandâ (In tune with all) 90. Parvarâ (Sustainer) 91. Rakhôh (All-energetic) 92. Rayômand (Resplendent) 93. Safnâ (Benefactor) 94. Sanâêâ (Omniscient) 95. Tarônîsh (Destroyer of evil) 96. Tum-afik (Purest of pure) 97. Varûn (Savior) 98. Vâsnâ (Omni-present) 99. Vaspãn (Lord of Universe) 100. Vaspâr (All-giver) 101. Yazad (Worshipful or Admirable) |