Arzu first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Arzu has been for the last 44 years (from 1980 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Arzu

Meaning "wish" or "desire" in Turkish and several Islamic cultures.

Popularity of Arzu by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Arzu is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Arzu.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 7
2022 0 15
2021 0 11
2020 0 6
2019 0 7
2018 0 6
2017 0 6
2016 0 6
2015 0 11
2013 0 7
2012 0 9
2011 0 7
2010 0 7
2009 0 9
2008 0 7
2007 0 5
2005 0 5
2004 0 5
1994 0 5
1982 0 5
1980 0 5

The history of the first name Arzu

The name Arzu has its origins in the Persian language and culture, dating back to ancient times in the regions of modern-day Iran and Central Asia. It is derived from the Persian word "arzū," which means "desire" or "wish." The name reflects a sense of longing or aspiration, and it may have been given to children as a hope for their future desires or dreams to be fulfilled.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arzu can be found in the works of the renowned Persian poet Hafez, who lived in the 14th century. In his poetry, Hafez often used the name Arzu as a metaphor for the beloved or the object of desire, reflecting the name's symbolic meaning.

In the 16th century, the name Arzu gained further prominence through the life of Mirza Arzu, a renowned Persian scholar and lexicographer. He was born in 1587 and is best known for his contributions to the study of the Persian language, including his influential dictionary, "Siraj al-Lughah."

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Arzu, including:

  1. Arzu Qemerlinsky (1923-2020), an Azerbaijani artist and sculptor known for her contributions to the development of modern Azerbaijani art.
  2. Arzu Rana Deuba (born 1942), a Nepalese politician and the first democratically elected female Head of State in Nepal's history, serving as the President of Nepal from 2015 to 2023.
  3. Arzu Abdullayeva (born 1965), an Azerbaijani writer and poet, known for her works exploring themes of love, identity, and cultural heritage.
  4. Arzu Geybullayeva (born 1984), an Azerbaijani singer and actress, who has gained popularity for her performances in various musical genres and television shows.
  5. Arzu Merali (born 1967), a British writer and journalist of Indian descent, known for her works on gender, identity, and cultural issues.

While the name Arzu has its roots in the Persian language and culture, it has gained popularity and recognition in various parts of the world, particularly in regions with strong cultural ties to Iran and Central Asia. The name continues to carry the essence of its original meaning, reflecting a universal desire for fulfillment and aspiration.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Arzu was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Arzu, please contact us.

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"Arzu first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 7, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/arzu-meaning-and-history/.

"Arzu first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/arzu-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 7 June, 2025

Arzu first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/arzu-meaning-and-history/.

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