Shiraz
Farsi, Urdu, “Shiraz city” | Persian, “lion” | Hebrew, “secret song”
A multicultural and unisex name, Shiraz is an intriguing and magical choice, connected to a city in Iran, a type of wine, and to music. This alluring choice is brought to you today by Nameberry Member Mayim, who particularly likes it as a feminine name:
“A name that has slowly snuck up on me over the years, Shiraz has many important meanings. It is actually the only name I can think of that has two separate meanings/languages of origin that both hold equal weight in my life!!
Shiraz is a name used in both Farsi and Urdu as relating to the Iranian city of Shiraz, known as the city of Sufi poets, gardens, nightingales, and wine. It is birth and resting place of Hafiz Shirazi, my favorite poet, and all of these elements connect it to some of my dearest friendships, so much so that it feels like an honor for two of my closest friends, and to Sufism, which makes it very meaningful to me.
And if you thought it can’t get any better, it does! I often struggle to find usable names for myself as someone very involved in cultures outside of my own. Shiraz, however, also has a Hebrew origin and can be interpreted as meaning “secret song”. This is incredibly personal for me as a musician, and as a concept for many larger things. When I think of it on a person, it gives the idea of having a little piece of yourself just for you, for no one else to experience or know. That is beautiful to me, and something I’d like to give to a child. Also, when paired with a middle, it comes to mean “secret song of _____”. One of my favorite Shiraz combos is Shiraz Shanti, or “secret song of peace”. How beautiful is that.
So Shiraz not only honors my personal beliefs with the Sufi ties (and connects to my favorite being in all of history as well as my favorite being who I’ve ever met personally), but connects to my cultural background as well. There are not many names that can do that!”
Do you want to pick a future Nameberry of the Day? Just send your favorite name to grace@nameberry.com and let me know what makes you love it!