Mehrdad (Persian: مهرداد) is a common Persian masculine given name, widely used in Iran and other Persian-speaking regions. The name is a theophoric compound from the elements mehr, meaning 'sun' or 'friendship, kindness', and dād, meaning 'given'. In the Zoroastrian context, mehr is the modern Persian form of Mithra, the ancient deity of light, covenant, and fidelity. Thus Mehrdad effectively means 'given by Mithra' or 'gift of the sun', reflecting the deep cultural imprint of Zoroastrianism on Persian naming traditions. Linguistically, Mehrdad descends from the Old Persian Mithradatha and the Middle Persian Mihrdat, consistent with a naming pattern that originally invoked the god Mithra. Through historical contact and Hellenistic influence, the name became known in Western sources as Mithridates, a philhellenic form borne by several kings of Pontus and Parthia—most notably Mithridates IV of Parthia, who is retrospectively referred to as Mehrdad in modern Persian historiography. The root Mithra ultimately goes back to Avestan mithra ('oath, covenant'), from Indo-Iranian *mitra meaning 'that which binds'. In Zoroastrian mythology, Mithra was a yazata (divine entity) associated with light, justice, and friendship—epithets that inform the dual connotation of mehr in Persian as both 'sun' and 'love'. The continuing appeal of Mehrdad today reflects this enduring cultural resonance. Notable Bearers Mehrdad Pahlbod (1917–2018), Iranian politician and minister of culture under the Pahlavi dynasty Mehrdad Kia, Iranian-American historian specializing in the history of Iran Mehrdad Pooladi (born 1987), Iranian professional football player Mehrdad Bazrpash (born 1980), Iranian politician and industrialist Meaning: given by the sun / given by Mithra Origin: Old Persian *Mithradatha Type: Theophoric first name Usage: Iran and Persian-speaking countries