The Historical Transformation of Iran: From Persia to Its Modern Name

For centuries, the nation of Iran has been known by many names, with the term most commonly recognized internationally being Persia. This article explores the historical context and reasons behind this transformation, from Persia to Iran, and the impact it had on the perception of the country.

Historical Background: Persia and Its Roots

Iran was historically known as Persia due to the prominence of the ancient Persian Empire, one of the largest in the 6th century BCE. The term “Persia” refers to the Land of the Parsis, while “Iran” means the Land of the Aryans. The first to use the name “Iran” was the Sassanid dynasty, which ruled from the 3rd to the 7th century CE.

It is important to note that Persia and Iran are fundamentally the same; they refer to the same geographical area and culture. The region has been known by these names across different historical periods, with Pars, Persis, and Persia referring to the foreign nomenclature, while Aryan, ‘Yr’n, Eran, and Iran reflect the native terminology.

The Formal Name Change in 1935

In 1935, Reza Shah, the new ruler of Iran, formally requested that foreign embassies and their governments use the term “Iran” instead of “Persia” in formal correspondence. This change was made to reflect the internal identity of the country and to embrace the broader ethnic composition of the nation, which includes non-Persian ethnic groups such as Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Lurs.

However, this change was not without its shortcomings. While internally, the change made no significant difference to the way Iranians referred to their country, it caused confusion and misinformation internationally. The term “Persia” had a rich 26-century history, and its sudden replacement with “Iran” erased a significant part of this heritage. Moreover, the 1930s coincided with the creation of new nations in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait, by the British government. This heightened the confusion, as Iran, in its English spelling, is only one letter removed from Iraq, leading to folkloric twinhood and misunderstandings among the global population.

Impact and Resentment

The name change was ill-advised for several reasons. Internally, the country continued to use “Iran”, its native name, while externally, the change caused significant confusion. Foreigners, and particularly those unfamiliar with the region’s history, began to incorrectly equate Iran with Iraq, a much smaller and newly created country. For instance, Stevie Wonder's song in the 1970s mentioning both Iran and Iraq interchangeably highlighted the widespread misunderstanding.

The change also implied that Iran was an Arab country, akin to Iraq, ignoring the rich cultural and historical heritage of Iran and its distinct identity. This perception is particularly offensive to Iranians, who recognize their country as a melting pot of diverse cultures and a land with a history five times greater than that of Iraq.

Conclusion

The transformation from Persia to Iran was a complex process rooted in internal and external factors. While Reza Shah's efforts were well-intentioned, the forced change of a globally recognized name had far-reaching and often negative consequences. Understanding this historical context helps us appreciate the ongoing cultural and historical identity of Iran and the challenges it faces in maintaining its unique heritage in a rapidly changing world.