raza

Raza is a personal name and surname of Persian and Arabic origin. It derives from the Arabic رضى (ridā), meaning consent, satisfaction, or acceptance. In Persian the given-name form is often rendered Reza, in Turkish as Rıza, and in South Asia the transliteration Raza is common. As a given name, it is typically masculine and is used across Iran, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and among diaspora communities. It can appear alone or as part of longer names such as Abdul-Raza or Al-Raza.

As a surname, Raza occurs in South Asia and among communities of Muslim heritage. It is found in India and Pakistan and among families that have adopted it as a hereditary surname. Spelling and pronunciation can vary with language and region, leading to forms such as Reza or Razā in different contexts.

In addition to its use as a name, raza is a Spanish noun meaning race or people. It appears in historical and cultural phrases and in proper names, such as La Raza Unida Party, though this usage is linguistically distinct from the Arabic–Persian given-name origin of Raza. The two usages are not etymologically linked, but both appear in written text depending on language and context.