Farsi Names, Transliteration

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Construction of Fársí Names in the 1800s

Fársí

(the Persian language) names in the 1800s were usually constructed with three main parts:

1. PREFIX – 2. NAME – 3. IDENTIFYING ATTRIBUTION

1. PREFIX

Examples of common prefixes used are:

Hájí	means that the person has been on Hájí [pilgrimage to Mecca].
Mírzá	The word Mírzá is a contraction of the word Amír-Zádih , which means son of an Amír [amír means head of a group/region]. Its location in the name changes its meaning. When prefixed to a name, it simply means Mr. This is its most common usage. However, when Mírzá is affixed to a name [that is as an Identifying Attribution], it signifies prince.
Mullá	is used as an honorific title for a member of the Islamic clergy [religious leaders]. It signifies a person who has higher education in Islamic theology and sharíá law. ‘ulamá is the plural of the word Amír
Shaykh	signifies that the person is a head of a group or a region. It is also sometimes just used as an honorific title.
Siyyid	signifies that the person is a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

Sometimes more than one prefix is used, for example Hájí Siyyid

… … meaning this person has been on pilgrimage to Mecca and is also a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

2. NAME

Shí’a

names often are constructs from names of the Prophet Muhammad, the Imáms or their family members.
For names of the Imáms see Resources: Brief Background on Shí’a Islam.