Find out how popular the first name Mahnaz has been for the last 38 years (from 1984 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mahnaz by gender

Based on the last 38 years of data, Mahnaz is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mahnaz.

The history of the first name Mahnaz

Mahnaz is a Persian name that originated in ancient Iran, with roots dating back to the pre-Islamic era. The name is derived from the Persian word "mah," meaning moon, and "naz," meaning beauty or delicacy. Therefore, the name Mahnaz translates to "moon-like beauty" or "beautiful as the moon."

In ancient Persian mythology, the moon was revered as a symbol of femininity, grace, and fertility. The name Mahnaz reflects this cultural significance, often bestowed upon daughters as a wish for their beauty and elegance to shine like the radiant moon.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mahnaz can be found in the Persian epic poem "Shahnameh" (Book of Kings), written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. In this literary masterpiece, Mahnaz is mentioned as the name of a beautiful princess.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Mahnaz. One of the most famous is Mahnaz Afkhami (born 1941), an Iranian activist and former Minister of State for Women's Affairs in Iran. She has been a prominent advocate for women's rights and has received numerous international awards for her work.

Another notable Mahnaz is Mahnaz Mehri (born 1957), an Iranian-American actress and author. She has appeared in various films and television shows, including the critically acclaimed film "The Stoning of Soraya M." Mehri has also written several books exploring Iranian culture and women's experiences.

In the realm of literature, Mahnaz Yazdani (1925-2002) was a celebrated Persian poet and author. Her works, which often explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition, have left a lasting impact on Persian literature.

Mahnaz Bashiri (born 1942) is an Iranian-American scholar and author who has made significant contributions to the study of Persian language and literature. She has authored numerous books and articles on these subjects and has taught at various prestigious universities.

Mahnaz Afkhami (born 1946), not to be confused with the activist mentioned earlier, is an Iranian-American artist and sculptor. Her works, which often incorporate Persian motifs and themes, have been exhibited in galleries around the world and are celebrated for their beauty and cultural significance.

It is important to note that while the name Mahnaz has its roots in ancient Persian culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and is now used by individuals from various backgrounds and ethnicities worldwide.

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 Mahnaz was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!