Shahnaz

Fact sheet

Name: Shahnaz
Gender: Girl name
Syllables: 2

Shahnaz (شهناز) is predominantly a female name, occasionally also a male name, with its origin in Old Persian. The meaning of the name can be translated as 'the joy of the king', 'the pride of the king', or 'the beloved of the king'.

What does the name Shahnaz mean?

The name Shahnaz (شهناز) is predominantly female, but it also appears in a male form and has Old Persian roots. It is often interpreted as 'the joy of the king', 'the pride of the king', or 'the beloved of the king'. Its origin can be traced back to the two Persian words shah (شاه), meaning 'king', and naz (ناز), which stands for 'dear', 'the beloved', 'the pride', 'comfort', or 'coquetry'. The name is also used in Hindu contexts, where it conveys qualities such as 'majestic', 'elegant', and 'graceful'. In Turkish spelling, the name appears as Sahnaz (Şahnaz). Other variants include Shahnoza (Uzbek), Sehnaz, Shehnaz, and Shanaz. A well-known bearer of the name is Shahnaz Pahlavi, the Iranian princess and eldest daughter of Shahanshah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Iran, Shahnaz enjoys great popularity.

Where does the name Shahnaz come from?

The name Shahnaz is a first name for both women and men and has its roots in Old Persian, where it carries meanings such as 'the joy of the king' or 'the beloved of the king'.

How do you pronounce Shahnaz?

Schah-naz

Popularity

In Germany, Shahnaz is a rather rare first name. In 2023, it ranked 5,633rd on the list of most common female baby names. Its best ranking was achieved in 2020, with 2,824th place. Over the past ten years, Shahnaz has been given as a first name approximately 30 times, placing it 5,239th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 6,302nd.

Nicknames & pet names

Shahno / Shaz / Shazam

Famous people

Shahnaz Habib (poet from India)
Shahnaz Jebreen (footballer from Jordan)
Shahnaz Munni (Bangladeshi journalist)
Shahnaz Rahmatullah (Bengali singer)

Frequently asked questions about the name Shahnaz

What is the origin of the name Shahnaz?

The name Shahnaz has its roots in Old Persian and means something like 'the joy of the king' or 'the beloved of the king'. It is composed of the Persian elements 'shah' (king) and 'naz' (dear).

How is the name Shahnaz pronounced?

Shahnaz is pronounced approximately as 'Schah-naz', with the 'ah' having an open sound. The emphasis is on the first syllable.

Are there suitable nicknames for Shahnaz?

Yes, common nicknames for Shahnaz include Shahno, Shaz, and Shazam, which allow for a loving and familiar address.

In which cultures is the name Shahnaz common?

Shahnaz is used in various cultures, particularly in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu-speaking regions. The name is also known and appreciated in Hindu contexts.