Rahimi

Rahimi is a surname of Persian origin used primarily in Iran, Afghanistan, and among Persian-speaking communities in Central Asia and the diaspora. It is also encountered as a given name in some cases. The name is derived from Rahim, one of the 99 names of Allah in Islam, meaning merciful. The suffix -i forms a nisba, indicating affiliation, origin, or descent, yielding “of Rahim” or “belonging to Rahim.”

Rahimi is especially common in Iran and Afghanistan, with variations in spelling such as Rahimi or Rahimy depending on transliteration from Persian, Dari, or Tajik. The form is also used in diaspora communities and can appear alongside other surnames, often passed patrilineally. The name does not denote a single ethnicity beyond its Persian-speaking roots, though it is widespread among Iranians, Afghan Pashtuns, and Tajiks.

In public life, individuals bearing the surname Rahimi have appeared across politics, academia, journalism, literature, and sports in Iran and Afghanistan. Because of its broad usage, the surname alone does not identify a specific regional origin, and it may be found among people from diverse backgrounds who share Persian linguistic heritage.