Many people still refer to the country as Persia.
This is understandable — but it is not correct when referring to the country today, and it was never fully accurate to begin with.
This article explains, clearly and fact-based, why the country is called Iran, where the name Persia came from, and why using Iran is the precise and inclusive choice.
The Short Answer
◼ Iran is the correct name of the country.
◼ Persia is a historical geographical name used by outsiders.
◼ Persian refers to a language, culture, and one ethnic group — not the whole nation.
These terms are related, but they do not mean the same thing.
What the Name “Iran” Actually Means
The name Iran ایران comes from the ancient term Ērān / Aryānām, meaning:
“Land of the Iranians” سرزمین ایرانیان
This name appears in ancient sources such as Avestan texts, Sassanian inscriptions, and classical Persian literature.
Iranians have used the name Iran internally for more than two thousand years. Surprised?
Iran is not a modern invention, rebranding, or political label.
It is the country’s historical self-designation.
How to Pronounce Iiran (The country name) in Persian (Farsi)
Then where the Name “Persia” Came From
The word Persia comes from Pars پارس (Persis) — a specific region in southwestern Iran, known today as Fars province.
Because early Greek and Roman contacts encountered the Iranian world through this region, they extended the regional name to the entire land. European languages later adopted this convention.
In other words:
Persia was an external geographical label, not the country’s own comprehensive name.
Calling Iran “Persia” is similar to calling all of Europe “France” — familiar, but inaccurate.
Persia Is Not a Culture — Persian Is
This distinction is essential.
Persian culture is one of Iran’s most influential cultural traditions — but it is not the whole country.
Iran is a multi-ethnic nation that includes Persians, Azeris, Kurds, Lurs, Arabs, Baluch, Turkmen, and others.
All are Iranian.
Using Persia to name the entire country reduces this diversity to one region.
1935 and the Role of Reza Shah
On March 21, 1935 (Nowruz),
Reza Shah Pahlavi (The founder of Pahlavi dynasty) formally requested foreign governments to use “Iran” in diplomatic correspondence instead of “Persia.”
This was communicated via the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
This decision did not invent a new name.
It aligned global usage with the name Iranians had always used themselves.
Reza Shah understood a crucial principle of modern statehood:
A nation should be known by its own name — not by a foreign shortcut based on one region.
Important nuance:
In 1959, under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, it was clarified that both “Iran” and “Persia” were acceptable internationally — but Iran remained official.
Why This Was a Strategic and Pivotal Decision
Reza Shah aimed to modernize and unify Iran. The term Persia, while evocative, was tied to Western perceptions and the Pars region, sidelining other ethnic groups like Kurds and Azeris. Iran, rooted in Ērān, embraced all Iranians, fostering national unity. “We are Iranians, not just Persians,” Reza Shah reportedly stated, emphasizing inclusivity.(+)
☝🏽 Official diplomatic letter (18 March 1935) from the Imperial Persian Legation informing foreign governments that the country should be referred to internationally as “Iran” instead of “Persia.” The request took effect on 21 March 1935, when Reza Shah asked the international community to use the country's historical name.
By formalizing the name Iran, Reza Shah achieved several things at once:
◼ He unified diverse ethnic groups under a shared national identity
◼ He strengthened Iran’s sovereignty and self-definition
◼ He corrected a long-standing external mislabeling
◼ He positioned Iran as a modern nation-state rather than a romanticized relic
Persian culture remained central — but Iran became inclusive.💌
Why “Iran” Is the Correct Term Today
When referring to the country:
◼ Iran is historically accurate
◼ Iran is legally correct
◼ Iran reflects the country’s diversity
The word Persia remains valid only when referring to historical contexts or to the region of Pars — not the modern nation.
The word Persian remains valid when referring to language, literature, art, or culture.
Using the correct term is not political.
It is precise.
A Simple Takeaway :)
◼ Say Iran when you mean the country (How to pronounce Iran in Persian (Farsi))
◼ Say Persian when you mean the language or culture
◼ Understand Persia as a historical external name
Related — but not interchangeable.
Further Reading & Reliable Sources
For readers who want to explore further:
◼ Encyclopaedia Britannica — Iran / Persia
https://www.britannica.com/place/Iran
◼ Encyclopaedia Iranica — entries on Ērān, Persis, and Iranian identity
https://iranicaonline.org
◼ Cambridge History of Iran
https://www.cambridge.org
◼ Touraj Daryaee, Sasanian Iran
◼ Primary Avestan and Middle Persian inscriptions (Ērān, Ērānšahr)
