Khosraw

Boy Name
Pronunciation:/ˈkhoʊs.rɔː/

Khosraw: a male name meaning "This name derives from the Avestan and Middle Persian “Husravah,” composed of two elements: “hu” (well, good) plus “sravah / sravas” (fame, reputation)". It derives from "hu sravah / sravas > Husravah / Ḫosrau".

Khosraw has maintained its appeal as a masculine name in modern times while preserving its unknown roots. Today, parents are drawn to its meaningful essence of "This name derives from the Avestan and Middle Persian “Husravah,” composed of two elements: “hu” (well, good) plus “sravah / sravas” (fame, reputation)" and its cultural richness. This name bridges traditional heritage with contemporary naming trends.

Quick Facts About Khosraw

Quick facts about Khosraw
OriginOrigin not available
GenderBoy name
PopularityModerately popular

Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team

Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.

Last reviewed: November 2025

Meaning

This name derives from the Avestan and Middle Persian “Husravah,” composed of two elements: “hu” (well, good) plus “sravah / sravas” (fame, reputation). In turn, the name means “of good fame.” 1) Khosrow and Shirin is a Persian tragic romance by the Persian poet “Nizami Ganjavi” (1141–1209) who also wrote Layla and Majnun. It tells a highly elaborated fictional version of the story of the love of the Sasanian king Khosrow II for the Syriac princess Shirin, who becomes his queen. 2) Kai Khosrow is a legendary king of the Kayanian dynasty and a character in the Persian epic book, Shahnameh. He was the son of the Iranian prince Siavash who married princess Farangis of Turan while in exile.

Etymology & Details

Name Root

hu sravah / sravas > Husravah / Ḫosrau

Other Scripts

Iranian (Pahlavi) (خسرو)

How to Pronounce Khosraw

Khosraw is pronounced /ˈkhoʊs.rɔː/

Step-by-step pronunciation guide:

  1. Break it into syllables: Kho-sra-w
  2. Say it like: "KHO-SRA-W"
  3. Practice saying it naturally a few times
Frequently Asked Questions About Khosraw
What does the name Khosraw mean?
Khosraw means "This name derives from the Avestan and Middle Persian “Husravah,” composed of two elements: “hu” (well, good) plus “sravah / sravas” (fame, reputation). In turn, the name means “of good fame.” 1) Khosrow and Shirin is a Persian tragic romance by the Persian poet “Nizami Ganjavi” (1141–1209) who also wrote Layla and Majnun. It tells a highly elaborated fictional version of the story of the love of the Sasanian king Khosrow II for the Syriac princess Shirin, who becomes his queen. 2) Kai Khosrow is a legendary king of the Kayanian dynasty and a character in the Persian epic book, Shahnameh. He was the son of the Iranian prince Siavash who married princess Farangis of Turan while in exile.". The name comes from hu sravah / sravas > Husravah / Ḫosrau. In its original form, the name derives from Husravah / Ḫosrau (خسرو). Parents who choose Khosraw for boys often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Avestan and Middle Persian “Husravah,” composed of two elements: “hu” (well, good) plus “sravah / sravas” (fame, reputation). In turn, the name means “of good fame.” 1) Khosrow and Shirin is a Persian tragic romance by the Persian poet “Nizami Ganjavi” (1141–1209) who also wrote Layla and Majnun. It tells a highly elaborated fictional version of the story of the love of the Sasanian king Khosrow II for the Syriac princess Shirin, who becomes his queen. 2) Kai Khosrow is a legendary king of the Kayanian dynasty and a character in the Persian epic book, Shahnameh. He was the son of the Iranian prince Siavash who married princess Farangis of Turan while in exile." as a quality they hope to see in their child. While not the most common choice, Khosraw's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance. The name is associated with qualities like HISTORY (KINGS / SOVEREIGN), reflecting its meaning in how people perceive those who carry it.
Is Khosraw a boy or girl name?
Khosraw is a boy's name. The name has been used for boys across many generations, maintaining its masculine character through different eras and cultures. The meaning "This name derives from the Avestan and Middle Persian “Husravah,” composed of two elements: “hu” (well, good) plus “sravah / sravas” (fame, reputation). In turn, the name means “of good fame.” 1) Khosrow and Shirin is a Persian tragic romance by the Persian poet “Nizami Ganjavi” (1141–1209) who also wrote Layla and Majnun. It tells a highly elaborated fictional version of the story of the love of the Sasanian king Khosrow II for the Syriac princess Shirin, who becomes his queen. 2) Kai Khosrow is a legendary king of the Kayanian dynasty and a character in the Persian epic book, Shahnameh. He was the son of the Iranian prince Siavash who married princess Farangis of Turan while in exile." carries well for a son, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Khosraw?
Khosraw is pronounced "/ˈkhoʊs.rɔː/". This pronunciation follows Unknown language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Iranian (Pahlavi) (خسرو), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Khosraw is quick to say and easy to call out. The name's root hu sravah / sravas > Husravah / Ḫosrau influences how Khosraw sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Khosraw?
Khosraw is somewhat common, familiar to most people. With moderate popularity, Khosraw offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Avestan and Middle Persian “Husravah,” composed of two elements: “hu” (well, good) plus “sravah / sravas” (fame, reputation). In turn, the name means “of good fame.” 1) Khosrow and Shirin is a Persian tragic romance by the Persian poet “Nizami Ganjavi” (1141–1209) who also wrote Layla and Majnun. It tells a highly elaborated fictional version of the story of the love of the Sasanian king Khosrow II for the Syriac princess Shirin, who becomes his queen. 2) Kai Khosrow is a legendary king of the Kayanian dynasty and a character in the Persian epic book, Shahnameh. He was the son of the Iranian prince Siavash who married princess Farangis of Turan while in exile." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among boys' names, Khosraw holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
What is the cultural significance of Khosraw?
Khosraw carries associations with HISTORY (KINGS / SOVEREIGN). These qualities shape how people perceive the name and those who carry it, creating expectations and first impressions. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Avestan and Middle Persian “Husravah,” composed of two elements: “hu” (well, good) plus “sravah / sravas” (fame, reputation). In turn, the name means “of good fame.” 1) Khosrow and Shirin is a Persian tragic romance by the Persian poet “Nizami Ganjavi” (1141–1209) who also wrote Layla and Majnun. It tells a highly elaborated fictional version of the story of the love of the Sasanian king Khosrow II for the Syriac princess Shirin, who becomes his queen. 2) Kai Khosrow is a legendary king of the Kayanian dynasty and a character in the Persian epic book, Shahnameh. He was the son of the Iranian prince Siavash who married princess Farangis of Turan while in exile." reinforces these associations, connecting the literal translation to the character traits people expect. Research shows that names do influence perceptions. People form impressions based on names before meeting someone, which means choosing Khosraw sets certain expectations. Parents choosing Khosraw often connect with one or more of these associations, selecting the name because it represents qualities they value or wish for their child.

Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.

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