bahadur

Bahadur is a masculine given name and surname of Persian origin, meaning brave, valiant, or bold. It entered Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and other South Asian languages through Persian influence and is common in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, as well as among diaspora communities. The form Bahadúr, Baahadur, or Bahādur appears across different scripts and transliterations.

In addition to being a personal name, Bahadur has historical use as part of regnal names and titles. The Mughal emperors Bahadur Shah I (r. 1707–1712) and Bahadur Shah II (Shah Zafar, r. 1837–1857) bore the name as an honorific element denoting bravery.

As a surname or component of compound names, Bahadur is found among various families and individuals. It is frequently paired with other given names or titles in South Asia and among South Asian communities abroad.

In modern times, Bahadur remains a common given name for boys in South Asia and among expatriate communities. It is also used in organizations, institutions, and media titles that aim to evoke notions of courage or strength, though specific uses vary by language and region.