Why the world stopped calling Iran Persia in 1935
In short: For centuries, Western maps labeled the region Persia. But in 1935, a formal diplomatic request changed everything. This wasn't just a linguistic shift; it was a deliberate move by the Shah to reclaim an ancient endonym and align the nation's international identity with its own historical roots.
The transition from 'Persia' to 'Iran' was a calculated diplomatic maneuver led by Reza Shah Pahlavi. During an international gathering for Nowruz, the Shah requested that foreign delegates use the endonym 'Iran' in formal correspondence. This change was officially implemented in March 1935, following a December 1934 memorandum from the Persian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The term 'Iran' carries deep historical weight, rooted in the concept of the 'Land of the Aryans.' Inscriptions from the 3rd century CE, such as those accompanying the investiture of the Sassanian king Ardashir I, use terms like 'arsāšīr šāhān šāh ērān,' meaning king of kings of the Aryans. This connection to the 'Aryan' identity is reflected in various ancient forms, including the Avestan 'airya' and the Old Persian 'ariya.'
The nomenclature has never been static. While the 1935 decree sought to standardize 'Iran,' the usage of 'Persia' persisted. In 1959, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi announced that both names could be used in formal correspondence. During World War II, Winston Churchill even requested the use of 'Persia' by the United Nations to avoid confusion with neighboring Iraq. Today, the distinction remains nuanced: 'Persia' is often used in historical and cultural contexts, while 'Iran' dominates political discourse.
The tension between these names continues in the modern diaspora. For some, 'Persia' evokes a glorious, pre-revolutionary past, whereas 'Iran' is often associated with the political shifts following the 1979 revolution. This linguistic duality ensures that the debate over the nation's name remains a living part of its global identity.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Name of Iran
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