Mashad Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-SHAHD //mæˈʃæd//
Origin: Persian; Arabic
Meaning: Persian: place of refuge; Arabic: a city in Iran
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mashad has its roots in Persian, deriving from the word "mashhad," which means "place of martyrdom" or "witness." This term is historically significant in Islamic culture, particularly in relation to the city of Mashhad in Iran, which is named after the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam. The etymology reflects a deep connection to religious and cultural identity, as the city has been a pilgrimage site since the 9th century, attracting visitors seeking to honor the martyrdom of Imam Reza.
The name thus carries connotations of reverence and spirituality, linking it to a significant historical and religious context. Throughout history, the name Mashad has been associated with various cultural and religious narratives.
The city of Mashhad became prominent during the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century, when it was developed into a major center for Shia Islam. The significance of the name is further underscored by its association with martyrdom, a theme prevalent in Islamic tradition, particularly during events such as Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
This connection to martyrdom and sacrifice has imbued the name with a sense of historical weight and cultural resonance. In addition to its religious implications, the name Mashad reflects broader themes of identity and heritage within Persian culture.
It symbolizes a connection to the land and its history, embodying the values of faith and resilience. The name may also appear in various forms or diminutives, although its primary significance remains tied to its original meaning and the historical context of the city.
Overall, Mashad serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of religious devotion and cultural identity in the Persian-speaking world.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mashad, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mashad. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mashad was first seen in the United States in 1988.
Mashad has ranked as high as #1159 nationally, which occurred in 1988, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Mashad has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mashad is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mashad was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Mashad
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mashad.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 6 |