"bright, shining"
Origin: Persian/Avestan
Language: Persian
Arash
Does Arash flow with your last name?
The legendary Persian archer who gave everything for his people
Iranian/Persian
Afghan
Tajik
Persian diaspora
Strong
Classic
Elegant
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"archer (from the myth of Arash Kamangir)"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
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The Story of Arash
Arash is one of the most celebrated names in Persian mythology and culture, meaning 'bright,' 'hero,' or 'truthful.' The legendary Arash Kamangir (Arash the Archer) is a central figure in Iranian epic tradition. According to the Shahnameh and older Persian sources, Arash was a soldier who sacrificed his life by shooting an arrow from Mount Damavand with all his strength, body, and soul — the arrow flew for days, finally landing far to the east to establish the border between Iran and Turan, saving his people at the cost of his own life.
Arash has been a popular name in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan for generations, carrying the weight of this heroic myth. In the Persian diaspora worldwide, Arash remains a top choice for boys, connecting Iranian-American and Iranian-European families to their cultural heritage. Swedish-Iranian pop star Arash (born Arash Labaf) brought the name international recognition in the 2000s.
The story of Arash Kamangir is celebrated as Tirgan festival in Iran, a summer water festival. Arash represents the ultimate Persian virtue of self-sacrifice for one's people, making this name a profound statement of values. The name appears in countless Persian poems, songs, and literary works.
Historical Record
Arash first appeared in US Social Security records in 1972.
Over 953 babies have been named Arash in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Arash is past its peak , currently ranked #6,324 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Arash Kamangir's arrow-flight is celebrated annually at the Tirgan festival in Iran
- Swedish-Iranian pop star Arash (Arash Labaf) had a #1 hit in 17 countries with 'Boro Boro' in 2005
- The name appears in the ancient Avestan texts, suggesting its use for at least 2,500 years
Arash in Other Languages
Arabic
آرش
English
Arash
Persian
آرش
Russian
Araш
Swedish
Arash
Popularity Over Time
#6,324
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1982
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Arash
A
Arash Labaf
Musician
1981
Swedish-Iranian pop singer known professionally as Arash, famous for hits like 'Boro Boro' and collaborations with Helen...
Swedish-Iranian pop singer known professionally as Arash, famous for hits like 'Boro Boro' and collaborations with Helena
A
Arash Kamangir Fictional
Military
Legendary Persian archer-hero from Iranian mythology who sacrificed himself shooting an arrow to establish Iran's border...
Legendary Persian archer-hero from Iranian mythology who sacrificed himself shooting an arrow to establish Iran's border, celebrated in the Shahnameh and Tirgan festival
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Compare Arash with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,324
- Total SSA Count
- 14
- Cultural Origins
- Iranian/Persian Afghan Tajik Persian diaspora
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Arsh
Aro
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Arash
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Arabic origin
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Rostam
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Persian epic tradition origin
"the mightiest, unconquerable"
#6,474 in US
Matin
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Arabic origin
"firm, strong, steadfast"
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Arabic/Persian compound origin
"dear Muhammad, praised soul"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arash
What does the name Arash mean?
"bright, shining" (from Persian/Avestan). "archer (from the myth of Arash Kamangir)" (from Persian). Arash is one of the most celebrated names in Persian mythology and culture, meaning 'bright,' 'hero,' or 'truthful.' The legendary Arash Kamangir (Arash the Archer) is a central figure in Iranian epic tradition. According to the Shahnameh and older Persian sources, Arash was a soldier who sacrificed his life by shooting an arrow from Mount Damavand with all his strength, body, and soul — the arrow flew for days, finally landing far to the east to establish the border between Iran and Turan, saving his people at the cost of his own life.
What is the origin of the name Arash?
Arash has Persian/Avestan, Persian, Iranian/Persian, Afghan, Tajik, and Persian diaspora origins. In Persian/Avestan, it means "bright, shining". In Persian, it means "archer (from the myth of Arash Kamangir)".
Is Arash a boy or girl name?
Arash is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Arash?
Arash is currently ranked #6324 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Arash?
Common nicknames for Arash include Arsh and Aro.
What are good middle names for Arash?
Popular middle name pairings include Arash Dariush, Arash Reza, Arash Kian, Arash Jamshid, Arash Ali, Arash Cyrus, and Arash Navid.
What are good sibling names for Arash?
Names that pair well with Arash as siblings include Dara, Shireen, Cyrus, Neda, Parisa, Kaveh, and Yasmin.
How many syllables does Arash have?
Arash has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Arash a common or rare name?
Arash is an uncommon name, ranked #6324 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Arash?
Are there other spellings for Arash?
Related spellings include Aras.
About the Name Arash
Arash is a boy name with Iranian/Persian, Afghan, Tajik, and Persian diaspora origins . The name means "bright, shining" in Persian/Avestan .
Arash is currently ranked #6,324 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Arash has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Arash include Arsh and Aro. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arash include Aras . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis