Identity in Names: Reflections of Safavid Social and Religious Structures in Personal Naming

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant professor of payame noor university .Tehran.Iran

Abstract

Names in Iranian culture have historically served a multifaceted function, extending beyond mere identification to symbolize identity, legitimacy, power, and social belonging. This interdisciplinary study in the field of socio-onomastics examines naming transformations during the Safavid era—a period marked by the institutionalization of Shi’ism, wherein names became instruments of political and cultural legitimization. The research aims to analyze the role of names in shaping religious identity and power structures under Safavid rule.
Methodology: This qualitative, descriptive-analytical study draws data from historical sources, including ʿĀlam-ārā-ye ʿAbbāsi, Kholāsat al-Tavārikh, Ahsan al-Tavārikh, literary texts, and popular narratives such as those by Hossein Kord Shabestari. Names are analyzed based on linguistic origin (Persian, Turkish, Arabic, Shi’i) and social status. Comparative analysis of pre-Safavid and Safavid naming practices in folk narratives enables tracing the evolution of naming conventions.
Findings: The results reveal that naming individuals and places after Shi’i Imams, integrating religious titles with political authority, and sacralizing public spaces were key strategies in consolidating Iranian-Shi’i identity. This naming discourse permeated elite circles, popular culture, literature, and social narratives, becoming a cornerstone of Safavid political and cultural legitimacy.

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References

 
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