Sohrab

Sohrab is a masculine given name of Persian origin, widely used in Iran, Afghanistan, and South Asia. In Persian literature, Sohrab is the name of a legendary hero in Ferdowsi's epic Shahnameh, where the figure has become iconic for themes of heroism and tragedy.

In the Shahnameh, Sohrab is the son of Rostam, the great Iranian hero, and Tahmina. Growing up apart from his father, Sohrab becomes a formidable warrior who travels to confront Rostam. The two meet in single combat, neither recognizing the other at first; Rostam defeats and fatally wounds Sohrab, only then learning that the enemy he has defeated is his own son. The revelation follows a poignant reconciliation as Rostam buries his son. The episode is widely cited as a masterpiece of Persian literature, illustrating fate, miscommunication, and the costs of war.

The name Sohrab remains common in the Persian-speaking and broader South Asian worlds. It carries literary associations with courage and tragedy, though modern bearers may have a range of personal meanings. Notable individuals with the given name include Sohrab Sepehri, an Iranian poet, and Sohrab Modi, an Indian theatre and film director and actor who helped shape early Indian cinema.