Ghasemi

Ghasemi is a Persian surname derived from the given name Qasem (also spelled Qasem or Ghasem). The suffix -i in Persian typically indicates belonging or origin, so Ghasemi means “descendant of Ghasem” or “related to Ghasem.” The name is common in Iran and among Persian-speaking communities abroad, and variants include Ghasemi and Qasemi.

In addition to its use as a surname, Ghasemi is associated with a traditional Northern Iranian dish known as Mirza Ghasemi. This dish originates from the Mazandaran and Gilan regions near the Caspian Sea and is popular throughout Iran. It is prepared by roasting or smoking eggplants, then mashing them with garlic and tomatoes; eggs are sometimes added to create a light scramble. The mixture is seasoned with salt and sometimes other spices and is typically served as a dip or topping with flatbreads such as Barbari or Sangak, and occasionally as a side dish or starter.

The dish’s name is generally linked to a person named Mirza Ghasem, though the exact historical origins are uncertain and various tale-based attributions exist. Mirza Ghasemi remains a well-known example of regional Iranian coastal cuisine and is commonly cited in discussions of Mazandaran and Gilan culinary traditions.

See also: Iranian surnames, Mirza Ghasemi.