The Enduring Name: What Was Iran Called Before 1979?

Mr. Clifford Terry 21 Jun 2025

Delving into the rich tapestry of history, many often wonder what was Iran called before 1979. This question opens a fascinating window into the evolution of a nation's identity, its ancient roots, and the complex interplay between internal self-perception and external naming conventions. Far from a simple change, the journey of Iran's name reflects millennia of cultural, political, and social shifts.

Understanding the historical nomenclature of this pivotal Middle Eastern country is crucial for grasping its past and present. While the 1979 revolution marked a significant turning point, the name "Iran" itself predates this monumental event by centuries, even millennia, despite popular Western perception often associating the country primarily with "Persia" before that time. This article will meticulously explore the layers of its naming history, offering a comprehensive look at how the nation was known both to its own people and to the wider world.

Unraveling the Historical Tapestry: What Was Iran Called Before 1979?
- The Ancient Roots: Arya and the Land of Aryans
Persia: The Western Lens and Its Origins
- From Ancient Greece to a Global Identity
The Official Shift: Iran's Reassertion of Identity in the 20th Century
- Emphasizing National Identity and Historical Roots
The 1959 Decree: A Dual Identity
The Eve of Revolution: Iran Before 1979
- A Society in Transition
The 1979 Revolution: A New Chapter, An Enduring Name
- The Islamic Republic and the Continuous Use of "Iran"
Understanding the Nuances of Naming
The Importance of Historical Context

Unraveling the Historical Tapestry: What Was Iran Called Before 1979?

To truly understand what Iran was called before 1979, we must journey back thousands of years, long before the modern era. Iran is home to one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations, with historical and urban settlements dating back to 4000 BC. This deep history means that the country has carried various names and self-identifications throughout its existence, reflecting its evolving cultural and geopolitical landscape.

The Ancient Roots: Arya and the Land of Aryans

One of the most crucial insights into Iran's naming history is that the Persian people themselves had their own name for their country, distinct from what the Western world called it. This means that, at least to the locals, Iran was known as Iran before it was ever known as Persia. During this time, Iran was also known as Arya, the land of the Aryans. This indigenous name, "Iran," which means "land of the Aryans," signifies a profound connection to its ancient inhabitants and their heritage. Indeed, the Iranian people inside their country, since the time of Zoroaster (probably circa 1000 BC), or even before, have called their country Arya, Iran, Iranshahr, or Iranzamin (land of Iran), and Aryānām (the equivalent of Iran in the ancient texts). This demonstrates a consistent internal identity that predates external labels.

Persia: The Western Lens and Its Origins

While the people themselves referred to their land as Iran, the Western world primarily knew it by a different name: Persia. This exonym, Persia, was the official name of Iran in the Western world before March 1935. The divergence in naming highlights a significant cultural and linguistic divide between the indigenous understanding and external perception.

From Ancient Greece to a Global Identity

The name Persia was derived from the Greek word "Persis," which referred to the region's dominant tribe, the Pars, or ancient Fars province. However, because Greece coined the term "Persia" around 550 AD, the Western world didn’t recognize Iran by its name until the 1900s. This Greek influence solidified "Persia" as the prevalent term in European languages and, subsequently, in global discourse for centuries. For a long time, if you asked someone in the West what was Iran called before 1979, the immediate answer would almost certainly be "Persia," reflecting this deep-seated historical usage.

The Official Shift: Iran's Reassertion of Identity in the 20th Century

The 20th century brought a deliberate and official change to the country's international name. Iran, known as Persia until 1935, underwent a formal renaming. This decision was not merely a cosmetic change but a powerful statement of national identity and a break from a colonial past often associated with the Western-imposed name.

Emphasizing National Identity and Historical Roots

In 1935, the name "Iran" was officially adopted, emphasizing the country's historical roots and national identity. This change marked a new chapter in Iran's long and storied past. The implementation of this name change was intended to signify a break from the country's imperial past and to embrace its cultural heritage, particularly its ancient Aryan roots. It was a conscious effort by the government of the time to align the international perception of the country with its own people's historical self-identification. Modern Iran and its name became synonymous, with the capital city of modern Iran, Tehran, representing the country's contemporary face, with its bustling streets and museums, symbolizing this renewed national pride.

The 1959 Decree: A Dual Identity

Even after the official change in 1935, the legacy of "Persia" persisted in Western consciousness. Recognizing this, in 1959, the ruler of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, announced that people could refer to his country as either Iran or Persia. This pragmatic decision aimed to bridge the gap between the internally preferred name and the widely recognized exonym, allowing for flexibility in international communication while maintaining the official "Iran." This period, therefore, saw a unique dual identity, where both names were considered acceptable, further complicating the simple answer to "what was Iran called before 1979?"

The Eve of Revolution: Iran Before 1979

As the 1970s dawned, the country was firmly known as Iran on the international stage, though the historical echo of Persia remained. This period leading up to the revolution saw a nation undergoing rapid modernization, yet also grappling with deep societal tensions. Before the Islamic Revolution took place in Iran in 1979, and Khomeini’s revolution transformed every aspect of Iranian society, Iran was a very different world. It was also a world that was looking brighter for women, with significant advancements in their rights and societal roles.

A Society in Transition

The socio-political landscape of Iran before the revolution was complex. While the Shah pushed for Westernization and secular reforms, there was growing discontent among various segments of the population. A quarter century before the 1979 revolution, the US and UK had helped depose democratically elected Iranian PM Mossadegh, an event that sowed seeds of distrust and resentment. The oppression people felt led to the emergence of leaders who called for a return to traditional values and eventually led to the revolution of 1979. In January 1979, in what was officially described as a "vacation," the Shah and his family fled Iran. The regency council established to run the country during the Shah’s absence proved unable to function, and Prime Minister Shahpur Bakhtiar, hastily appointed by the Shah before his departure, was incapable of effecting compromise with the burgeoning revolutionary movement.

The 1979 Revolution: A New Chapter, An Enduring Name

The year 1979 stands as a monumental turning point in Iran's history, but it did not fundamentally alter the country's name in the way the 1935 shift did. On February 1, 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Tehran to a greeting by several million Iranians, having been invited back to Iran by the government. The Iranian revolution of 1979 is an event that is poorly understood in the West, often viewed solely through the lens of its religious implications without fully grasping the complex socio-political factors that fueled it.

The Islamic Republic and the Continuous Use of "Iran"

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 new theocratic constitution—whereby Khomeini became supreme leader of the country—was approved in December 1979, solidifying the new political structure. This addition of "Islamic Republic" was a descriptor of its new form of governance, rather than a fundamental change to its core geographical and historical name. Thus, the answer to what was Iran called before 1979 remains "Iran," as it continues to be known as Iran even after the revolution. The enduring nature of the name "Iran" underscores its deep historical roots, transcending political upheavals and shifts in governance.

Understanding the Nuances of Naming

The journey through Iran's naming history reveals a fascinating interplay of self-identification, external perception, and political intent. From its ancient origins as Arya and Iran, through the Western adoption of Persia, to the deliberate reassertion of "Iran" in the 20th century, the country's name has always been more than just a label. It has been a reflection of its people's identity, their aspirations, and their place in the world. When considering what was Iran called before 1979, it's essential to appreciate this layered history, acknowledging that while "Persia" was prevalent in the West, "Iran" was the name held dear by its own people for millennia.

The Importance of Historical Context

Understanding the historical context surrounding Iran's name changes provides valuable insight into the nation's continuous civilization and its enduring identity. It highlights how names, far from being static, evolve with the narrative of a country, reflecting its past, present, and future aspirations. The continuity of "Iran" as the preferred name by its people, even when "Persia" was dominant globally, speaks volumes about the strength of its national identity. This deeper understanding helps to demystify common misconceptions and offers a more nuanced appreciation of one of the world's most ancient and influential cultures. In this video, we will take a closer look at the history of Iran's name before the significant changes that took place in 1979, as a testament to the country's resilience and rich heritage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the question "what was Iran called before 1979?" yields a multifaceted answer. While "Persia" was the widely recognized name in the Western world until 1935, and continued to be an acceptable alternative until 1959, the people of the land themselves have consistently referred to their country as "Iran" (or variations like Arya, Iranshahr, Iranzamin) for thousands of years. The official adoption of "Iran" in 1935 solidified this indigenous name on the international stage, marking a significant reclamation of national identity. Even after the 1979 revolution, which established the "Islamic Republic of Iran," the core name "Iran" endured, underscoring its deep historical and cultural roots.

This journey through the naming conventions of Iran offers a profound lesson in how nations define themselves and how those definitions are perceived globally. It's a testament to a civilization that has maintained its core identity through millennia of change. We hope this exploration has provided you with a clearer understanding of Iran's rich naming history. What are your thoughts on how a country's name reflects its identity? Share your insights in the comments below, or explore our other articles on the fascinating history of the Middle East!

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