Fereydoun
Fereydoun Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/fe.ɾej.ˈduːn/
Meaning of Fereydoun: Fereydoun is the Modern Persian form of Old Iranian *Thraitauna, meaning the third — likely referring to the third generation or a specific birth order in early Iranian lineage traditions.
The Avestan form, θraētaona (Thrāētaona), appears in the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism as the name of a hero who defeats the dragon-tyrant Azhi Dahaka (Zahhak in Persian).
In the Shahnameh, the Persian national epic composed by Ferdowsi around 1010 CE, Fereydoun is one of the greatest kings of the mythological era.
What Does Fereydoun Mean? Origin & Etymology
He overthrew the tyrant Zahhak — a king with serpents growing from his shoulders who fed on human brains — and ruled Iran for 500 years in peace and justice. His reign represents the ideal of wise and legitimate kingship in the Persian tradition.
Fereydoun’s story also includes one of the Shahnameh’s great tragedies: he divided his kingdom among his 3 sons, Salm, Tur, and Iraj, giving the best portion to the virtuous youngest son Iraj.
Salm and Tur, driven by envy, murdered Iraj. This act of fratricide set in motion a cycle of revenge that runs through many subsequent episodes of the epic, including the story of Siyavash and the vengeance of Kay Khosrow.
Fereydoun remains a living given name in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, where the Shahnameh continues to function as a source for naming. The name carries strong connotations of justice, heroic virtue, and legitimate authority.
Variant spellings include Feridun (Turkish), Faridun (Central Asian), and Fraydoon in some diaspora contexts. Further reading: etymology records and US popularity records from SSA.
Numerology & Symbolism of Fereydoun
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Fereydoun – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Fereydoun
What does the name Fereydoun mean?
Fereydoun derives from Old Iranian *Thraitauna, meaning the third. The Avestan form, Thraetaona, appears in Zoroastrian sacred texts as the hero who defeats the dragon-tyrant Azhi Dahaka. In Modern Persian the name evolved to Fereydoun through regular phonetic changes. It is one of the oldest names still in active use in the Persian-speaking world, preserved largely through the living tradition of the Shahnameh.
Who is Fereydoun in the Shahnameh?
Fereydoun is one of the greatest kings of the mythological era in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh (c. 1010 CE). He overthrew the tyrant Zahhak — a king with serpents growing from his shoulders who fed on human brains — and ruled Iran for 500 years in peace and justice. His reign represents the ideal of legitimate, just kingship. His later division of his kingdom among 3 sons, leading to the murder of the virtuous youngest son Iraj, set in motion a cycle of revenge that shapes much of the epic’s subsequent narrative.
Where is Fereydoun used as a name today?
Fereydoun is used as a masculine given name in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, where Persian literary heritage remains a living source for naming. The Shahnameh has functioned as a naming tradition for over a thousand years across the Persian-speaking world. Variant forms include Feridun in Turkish, Faridun in Central Asian usage, and Fraydoon in some Western diaspora communities.
What is the Avestan form of Fereydoun?
The Avestan form is Thraetaona (sometimes transcribed as θraētaona), which appears in the Yasht texts of the Avesta — the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism. In Avestan the name carries the same basic meaning (the third) and identifies a heroic figure who defeats the cosmic evil serpent Azhi Dahaka. This Avestan hero is the mythological ancestor of the Fereydoun of the later Persian Shahnameh, showing direct continuity between Zoroastrian scripture and Persian epic tradition.