Shojai

Shojai is a Persian-language surname and, less commonly, a given-name variant. It is most widely found among people of Iranian and Persian-speaking descent. The name derives from the Persian noun shoja meaning courage or bravery; the suffix -i indicates belonging or origin, yielding a sense of “of bravery” or “the brave one.” The root shuja’ traces back to the Arabic shuja’a, meaning valor, and the surname reflects cultural value placed on courage.

Variants and transliterations include Shojaei, Shojaee, Shujaei, Shoja’i, and sometimes Shojayee, depending on how Persian sounds are rendered in Latin letters. The different spellings result from transliteration conventions and regional pronunciation.

Geographic and demographic distribution: The surname is most prevalent in Iran, with diaspora communities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and in Western countries. It is used by families across various ethnic and linguistic groups in Iran, generally reflecting Persian linguistic heritage rather than a single ethnic identity.

Usage and cultural notes: Like many Persian surnames, Shojai may indicate lineage or geographical origin but does not correspond to a single historical clan. In modern contexts, individuals bearing the name participate in a wide range of occupations, including academia, sports, arts, and business, illustrating surname diffusion across contemporary society rather than a narrow cultural role.