Farhad

Farhad is a male given name of Persian origin that is widely used in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and among Persian-speaking communities around the world. The exact meaning of the name is not universally agreed upon, but it remains a traditional, culturally resonant name in the Persian-speaking world.

In Persian literature and folklore, Farhad is a central figure in the tragic romance of Khosrow and Shirin. According to the legend, Farhad was a devoted lover who labored to win Shirin’s heart, often depicted as a stonecutter who carved a path into a cliff as a sign of his love. The tale has been retold by poets such as Nizami Ganjavi and has become a symbolic reference to steadfast devotion and misfortune in Persian literary tradition.

The name appears primarily in Persian script as فرهاد and has several transliterations in Latin script, including Farhad and Farhaad. It is generally considered masculine, though naming practices can vary across communities and languages.

Notable people named Farhad include Farhad Mehrad (1944–2002), an Iranian singer and musician who is regarded as a pioneer of Persian rock, and Farhad Darya (born 1962), an Afghan singer and composer known for his contributions to contemporary Afghan music. Beyond these figures, the name Farhad is carried by individuals across various fields in Iran, Afghanistan, the diaspora, and other Persian-speaking regions.