The given name Shad has its origins in the Persian language, where it is derived from the word "shad," meaning "joy" or "happiness." This name has been in use since ancient times in the Persian-speaking regions of the Middle East and Central Asia.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shad can be found in the Shahnameh, an epic poem written by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. In this literary masterpiece, Shad is mentioned as the name of a minor character.

During the medieval period, the name Shad was particularly popular among the Persian nobility and was borne by several notable figures. One such individual was Shad-e Mulk Aga, a powerful vizier who served under the Seljuk Sultanate in the 11th century.

In the 13th century, a famous poet and mystic named Shad Kermani lived in the city of Kerman, located in modern-day Iran. His poetic works, which celebrated the beauty of nature and the spiritual journey, are still studied and admired today.

Another historically significant bearer of the name Shad was Shad Qazi, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist who lived in the 15th century. He is credited with contributing significantly to the development of Islamic jurisprudence during the Timurid dynasty.

In more recent times, one of the most notable individuals named Shad was Shad Khan, a Pakistani-American billionaire businessman and sports team owner. Born in 1950, Khan is the owner of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars and the Premier League's Fulham F.C.

While the name Shad has its roots in the Persian language, it has also been adopted by other cultures and languages over time, although its usage may vary in pronunciation and spelling.