How Iran Got Its Name: The Shift from Persia to Iran & Aryan Influence

Introduction: A Name with Historical & Ideological Significance

For over 2,500 years, Persia was one of the world’s greatest civilizations, known for its rich history, grand empires, and cultural achievements. However, in 1935, Reza Shah Pahlavi officially renamed Persia as “Iran”—a decision influenced by nationalist ideology, racial theory, and Nazi Germany.

The name “Iran” is derived from the term “Aryan”, reflecting an attempt to emphasize the country’s Indo-European heritage. The name change was strongly encouraged by Nazi German diplomats, who viewed Iranians as racially akin to Germans and wanted to forge closer ties.

This article will:
✅ Explore the key figures behind Persia’s renaming.
✅ Examine the linguistic and ideological roots of “Iran” and its Aryan connection.
✅ Analyze the role of Nazi Germany in the decision.
✅ Explain the consequences of the name change on Iran’s identity and global relations.

1. Persia: A Name Rooted in Civilization

For centuries, Persia was the center of great empires, rich culture, and powerful rulers. The name Persia originated from the Greek designation of the region, based on the Old Persian word “Parsa.”

📌 Persia’s legacy includes:

The Achaemenid Empire, the first multi-ethnic superpower, established by Cyrus the Great.
The Cyrus Cylinder, often regarded as the first declaration of human rights.
Persian contributions to science, mathematics, poetry, and architecture.

Despite this illustrious history, in the early 20th century, Persian nationalism took a new turn—one that sought to align Iran with European racial theories.

2. The Decision to Rename Persia to Iran

A. Reza Shah & His Nationalist Vision

Reza Shah Pahlavi, who came to power in 1925, was determined to modernize and strengthen his country.
He sought to distance Persia from foreign influence, particularly Britain and Russia, and forge new alliances.
He believed renaming Persia to Iran would reinforce its connection to the ancient Aryan identity, aligning it with other Indo-European nations.

B. The Influence of Nazi Germany

In the early 1930s, Nazi Germany was expanding its influence globally.
German diplomats in Persia, led by Ambassador Dr. Fritz Grobba, promoted racial ideology that classified Iranians as “pure Aryans.”
Reza Shah was impressed by Hitler’s rapid rise to power and favored closer ties with Germany over Britain or Russia.
Nazi propaganda suggested that Persia’s people shared a racial kinship with Germans, making them natural allies.

📌 Why It Matters: The name change was not just a linguistic shift—it was part of an ideological realignment, influenced by racial theories of Aryan supremacy.

3. When Did Persia Officially Become Iran?

On March 21, 1935, the Iranian government formally requested that all foreign countries stop using the name Persia and instead refer to the country as Iran.

However, this move faced significant backlash within the country because:
❌ Many Iranians still identified with Persia’s cultural and historical legacy.
❌ Merchants and scholars feared Iran’s new name would be linked to Nazi Germany and racial ideologies.
❌ The decision was seen as a political move rather than a reflection of public sentiment.

📌 Fun Fact: After World War II, when Nazi Germany was defeated, some Iranians petitioned to restore the name Persia, but the change remained permanent.

4. Is Iran Really Linked to the Word “Aryan”?

Yes. The name Iran is directly linked to “Aryan.”

A. Linguistic & Historical Evidence

“Iran” originates from the Old Persian term “Airyanam,” meaning “Land of the Aryans.”
The Indo-Iranian language family links Iranian peoples to other Aryan-descended groups, such as those in India.
Persian rulers historically referred to their land as “Airyanam” centuries before modern renaming.

B. Nazi Racial Theories & The Aryan Supremacy Concept

Nazi ideology defined Aryans as the superior race, specifically referring to Indo-European peoples.
Germany’s racial classification considered Persians “racially pure Aryans,” which encouraged Reza Shah’s alignment with the Nazis.
The Nazis distorted the concept of Aryan identity to justify oppression, war, and genocide.

📌 Why It Matters: While Iran’s Aryan connection is historically accurate, its racial association with Nazi ideology led to political controversy.

5. How Did This Name Change Impact Iran’s Identity?

A. Shift Away from Western Influence

Under Reza Shah, Iran rejected Western-imposed identities and sought independence from British and Russian dominance.
The name change was part of a broader effort to modernize, militarize, and nationalize Iran’s identity.

B. Iran’s Post-War Identity Crisis

After Reza Shah was removed from power in 1941, Iran was occupied by Allied forces during World War II.
The Iranian monarchy later sought to restore ties with the West, leading to confusion about whether Iran should embrace its Persian past.
The 1979 Islamic Revolution further shifted Iran’s identity, emphasizing Islamic fundamentalism over Persian nationalism.

📌 Why It Matters: The renaming of Persia set the stage for Iran’s shifting alliances, first toward Nazi Germany, then toward radical Islamism.

6. Do Persians Identify as Arabs or Europeans?

Iranians, particularly Persians, do not identify as Arabs and see themselves as distinct from the Arab world.

A. Persian vs. Arab Identity

Persians are Indo-European, while Arabs are Semitic.
The Persian language (Farsi) is not related to Arabic, though it uses the Arabic script.
Iran’s culture, history, and traditions are separate from the Arab world.

B. Do Persians See Themselves as European?

While Iran’s leadership often aligns itself with anti-Western ideologies, many Persians take pride in their Aryan and Indo-European heritage.
Some Iranian nationalists still view their civilization as closer to Europe than to the Arab world.

📌 Why It Matters: Iran’s identity crisis stems from its historical ties to Indo-European culture, its Middle Eastern geography, and its modern political struggles.

Final Thoughts: Understanding the Name Iran

✅ The name Iran means “Land of the Aryans” and has ancient Persian origins.
✅ The renaming was driven by nationalism, racial ideology, and Nazi influence.
✅ Many Iranians still identify with Persia as a cultural identity.
✅ Iran’s name change marked a shift toward totalitarianism and later Islamic rule.

📌 The next time you hear Iran referred to as Persia, remember: Persia was a great civilization. Iran became a political statement.