When Did Persia Turn Into Iran? Unraveling A Nation's Identity
**Table of Contents** * [The Deep Roots of "Iran": Before "Persia"](#the-deep-roots-of-iran-before-persia) * [Ancient Origins and the Achaemenid Legacy](#ancient-origins-and-the-achaemenid-legacy) * [The Sasanian Era and the Internal Preference for "Iran"](#the-sasanian-era-and-the-internal-preference-for-iran) * [The Western Gaze: Why "Persia" Prevailed for Centuries](#the-western-gaze-why-persia-prevailed-for-centuries) * [Reza Shah Pahlavi's Vision: Modernity and National Identity](#reza-shah-pahlavis-vision-modernity-and-national-identity) * [The Official Shift: March 1935](#the-official-shift-march-1935) * [Backlash and Lingering Identity](#backlash-and-lingering-identity) * [The Dual Identity: Post-1935 Developments](#the-dual-identity-post-1935-developments) * [Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's Reversal (1959)](#mohammad-reza-pahlavis-reversal-1959) * [The Islamic Republic and Beyond (1979)](#the-islamic-republic-and-beyond-1979) * [The Enduring Legacy: Persia and Iran Today](#the-enduring-legacy-persia-and-iran-today) * [Conclusion](#conclusion)
## The Deep Roots of "Iran": Before "Persia" To truly comprehend when Persia became Iran, we must first delve into ancient history. The notion that "Iran" is a modern invention is a common misconception; in reality, the name "Iran" has roots far deeper than "Persia" in the country's own internal self-identification. ### Ancient Origins and the Achaemenid Legacy Historically known as *Airyanam* in Old Iranian, the name Iran has ancient ties dating back to the Sasanian and Achaemenid periods. This ancient term, meaning "Land of the Aryans," reflects the ethnolinguistic heritage of the Iranian peoples. Persia, known for its vast empire, rich culture, and significant influence, is synonymous with the Achaemenid Empire, which emerged around 550 BCE under Cyrus the Great. It was during this era that the region's prominence grew, and its people, specifically those from the province of Fars (Pars in Old Persian), came into contact with the ancient Greeks. The Greeks, referring to the region as *Persis*, popularized the name "Persia" throughout the Western world. Despite external references like *Persis* by Greeks or *Bilad Faris* by Arabs, Iranians themselves largely retained their indigenous names for their land, such as *Iranzamin* (Land of Iran). This distinction highlights a long-standing duality: an internally preferred name and an externally imposed one. ### The Sasanian Era and the Internal Preference for "Iran" The Sasanian Empire (224-651 CE) played a crucial role in solidifying the internal use of "Iran." This powerful empire, which succeeded the Parthians, explicitly referred to their realm as *Ērānshahr*, meaning "Dominion of the Aryans" or "Iranian Empire." Certainly by the 4th century AD, the term Iran was being used in writing and literature, signifying a well-established internal identity. The Sasanian dynasty's unique and aristocratic culture transformed the Islamic conquest and destruction of Iran into a Persian Renaissance. Much of what later became known as Islamic culture, architecture, writing, and other contributions to civilization, were taken from the Sasanian Persians into the broader Muslim world. This period underscores that "Iran" was not a new concept in the 20th century but a name with profound historical and cultural resonance for the people themselves, long before the West adopted "Persia." ## The Western Gaze: Why "Persia" Prevailed for Centuries For at least 2600 years, to the year 1935, Iran was known by an ancient Greek name, Persia, in the West. This enduring use of "Persia" by foreign powers, despite the internal preference for "Iran," speaks volumes about the historical dynamics of naming conventions. Western texts, particularly those from European powers, continued to refer to the country as Persia, largely due to the historical legacy of Greek and Roman writings. Even as some Western texts noted an internal preference for the name Iran by the 19th century, the established diplomatic and historical parlance remained "Persia." This disconnect meant that for centuries, the world knew the country by a name that, while historically significant, didn't fully reflect the self-designation of its people. The persistence of "Persia" in the West created a perception gap that Reza Shah Pahlavi would later seek to bridge. ## Reza Shah Pahlavi's Vision: Modernity and National Identity The early 20th century saw significant geopolitical shifts and a growing sense of nationalism across the globe. In Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi, who came to power in 1925, embarked on an ambitious program of modernization and nation-building. He had a profound sense that the country was late into modernity compared to Western countries and he wanted to change how Persia was perceived. Reza Shah aimed to present Iran as a modern, unified, and powerful nation, shedding the vestiges of a past he perceived as stagnant or externally influenced. Hence, he decided to change the name to "Iran" to break away from the country’s colonial image and negative images associated with "Persia" because of the ruling of the previous Qajar kings, which were perceived by the West as decadents. The Qajar era was marked by significant foreign intervention and territorial concessions, leading to a perception of weakness and backwardness in the eyes of many, including Reza Shah himself. By formally adopting "Iran," Reza Shah sought to symbolize a new era in Iranian history, one of strength, independence, and a return to an ancient, proud heritage. ## The Official Shift: March 1935 The culmination of Reza Shah's vision came in 1935. When did Persia officially become Iran? On March 21, 1935, the Iranian government formally requested that all foreign countries stop using the name Persia and instead refer to the country as Iran. This was not a mere suggestion but a diplomatic directive. In the 1930s, steps began to be taken by Reza Shah to formalize the change in name from Persia to Iran, and the request came into force in March 1935. This change was a clear assertion of national sovereignty and a deliberate effort to align the country's international designation with its internal identity. When Persia became Iran in 1935, the Iranian government demanded that all countries with whom it had diplomatic relations refer to the country by its Persian name, Iran. From that time on, all embassies were instructed to use the new nomenclature. The decision is thought to have been suggested by the Iranian ambassador to Germany, which has led to speculation about the motivations behind the timing and the choice of name. It is believed this may have been the result of Iranian ties to Nazi Germany, who would have supported this more nationalist name over one that was technically foreign. Regardless of the specific influences, the move was undeniably a powerful statement of national pride and a desire to control the country's narrative on the world stage. It marked a definitive moment in history where a nation consciously redefined its external identity. ## Backlash and Lingering Identity Despite the official decree, this move faced significant backlash within the country because many Iranians still identified with Persia’s cultural and historical legacy. The name "Persia" was deeply embedded in the cultural consciousness, representing a rich heritage of poetry, art, and empire that resonated strongly with the populace. For many, "Persia" evoked the glories of Cyrus the Great, the elegance of Persian gardens, and the beauty of the Persian language. The sudden shift, while intended to modernize and empower, inadvertently created a rift between official policy and popular sentiment. While the government enforced the use of "Iran" in diplomatic and official contexts, the cultural attachment to "Persia" remained strong, particularly among older generations and those deeply connected to the country's historical arts and literature. This internal resistance highlighted the complexity of national identity, which cannot always be dictated by decree. The name change, while successful in its official implementation, did not erase centuries of cultural association overnight. ## The Dual Identity: Post-1935 Developments The story of "Persia" and "Iran" did not end in 1935. The decades that followed saw further evolution in how the country was referred to, reflecting ongoing shifts in political leadership and national self-perception. ### Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's Reversal (1959) The initial formalization of "Iran" in 1935 was a strong directive, but its rigidity eventually softened. In 1959, the ruler of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, announced that people could refer to his country as either Iran or Persia. This decision by Reza Shah's son, the last Shah of Iran, acknowledged the lingering cultural attachment to "Persia" and sought to appease those who felt alienated by the exclusive use of "Iran." It was a pragmatic move that recognized the deep historical and cultural roots of both names. However, despite this official permission to use either name, the name Iran persisted as the dominant and official term. The momentum of the 1935 change, coupled with the country's continued modernization efforts, meant that "Iran" had largely become the established international norm. ### The Islamic Republic and Beyond (1979) The 1979 Islamic Revolution brought about another significant name change, though this one was more about political ideology than geographical identity. Additionally, despite another name change in 1979, when Iran officially became the Islamic Republic of Iran, people generally refer to the country simply as Iran. The addition of "Islamic Republic" reflected the new government's religious and political orientation, but the core geographical name remained "Iran." Even after this ideological name change, when the country became the Islamic Republic of Iran, the majority of people continued to refer to it simply as Iran, reflecting a blend of historical continuity and practical usage. This demonstrates the enduring power of the chosen name from 1935. Interestingly, even today, in an effort to separate themselves, those opposed to the current government in Iran continue to refer to themselves as Persians. This highlights how the names "Persia" and "Iran" have become intertwined with political identity and dissent, adding another layer of complexity to their usage. ## The Enduring Legacy: Persia and Iran Today The transition from Persia to Iran represents a shift in national identity instigated by Reza Shah in 1935, but it is a shift that continues to resonate. Today, the official name of the country is the Islamic Republic of Iran, but it is commonly referred to simply as Iran. The historical and cultural legacy of "Persia" remains incredibly strong, particularly in arts, literature, and the diaspora. Many Iranians proudly identify as Persian, especially when referring to their rich cultural heritage, language, and cuisine. The terms "Persian rug," "Persian cat," and "Persian Gulf" are still widely used globally, demonstrating the deep imprint of the older name on international consciousness. This duality means that both "Persia" and "Iran" carry significant weight, representing different facets of a complex and ancient civilization. While the formal governmental designation is "Iran," the cultural and historical heart often beats to the rhythm of "Persia." ## Conclusion The question of "when did Persia turn into Iran" leads us to March 21, 1935, the date the Iranian government formally requested the name change. However, this pivotal moment was not a sudden invention but the formalization of an internal preference for "Iran" that dates back millennia, coupled with a strategic desire for modernization and a break from perceived historical baggage. While the name "Persia" endured in the West for centuries, "Iran" was the indigenous term with deep roots in the nation's identity. The decision by Reza Shah Pahlavi marked a new era, yet it also sparked a complex interplay between official nomenclature and deep-seated cultural identity. The subsequent developments in 1959 and 1979 further underscored this ongoing dynamic, with "Iran" ultimately persisting as the dominant and official name, even as the cultural resonance of "Persia" continues to thrive. This fascinating historical evolution reminds us that a nation's name is more than just a label; it's a reflection of its past, present, and aspirations. What are your thoughts on this fascinating historical evolution? Share your insights in the comments below!
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