Reza

♂ Boy

Pronounced REH-zah /ˈrɛ.zɑː/High

Meaning: From Arabic riḍā (رضا), meaning 'contentment,' 'satisfaction,' or 'divine approval'; widely used in Persian/Iranian naming traditionHigh

In 30 seconds: A classic Persian and Arabic name meaning 'contentment' or 'divine approval.' Reza is deeply revered in Shia Islam as the name of Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha, the eighth Imam.

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Origin HighArabic, Persian

MeaningFrom Arabic riḍā (رضا), meaning 'contentment,' 'satisfaction,' or 'divine approval'; widely used in Persian/Iranian naming tradition

U.S. rank (2024)#3138 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births39 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,155

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Reza (also spelled Ridha, Ridá) comes from the Arabic root r-d-y (رضا), meaning 'to be pleased,' 'satisfied,' or 'to give divine approval.' The name gained enormous significance in Shia Islam through Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (765–818 CE), the eighth Shia Imam, revered for his wisdom and piety.

Reza is one of the most common male names in Iran and Persian-speaking communities worldwide. It is also widely used in Turkey, South Asia, and wherever Shia Muslim communities are found. In Iran the name is associated with royalty: both Shah Reza Pahlavi (the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty) and his son Mohammad Reza Shah bore the name.

Did you know? The name Reza is closely associated with Imam Ali al-Ridha, the eighth Imam in Twelver Shia Islam, whose shrine in Mashhad, Iran, draws tens of millions of pilgrims annually — making it one of the most visited religious sites in the world.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Reza — Arabic/Persian origin, divine satisfactionEncyclopaedia Iranica — Ali al-Ridha — Eighth Imam biographical notes

Variations

RidhaRidaRidáRiza

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (765–818)
Eighth Imam in Twelver Shia Islam, revered for scholarship and piety; his shrine in Mashhad is Iran's holiest site.
★Reza Shah Pahlavi (1878–1944)
Founder and first Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran, who modernized the country in the early 20th century.

If you like Reza…

Ali— Arabic Islamic name of similar cultural weight in Shia tradition

Hassan— Arabic name of the second Shia Imam, same religious register

Mahdi— Arabic Islamic name of eschatological significance in the same tradition

Dara— Persian name with similar two-syllable flow and cultural heritage

Frequently Asked

What does the name Reza mean?

Reza means 'contentment,' 'satisfaction,' or 'divine approval,' from the Arabic root riḍā (رضا).

How do you pronounce Reza?

Reza is pronounced REH-zah (/ˈrɛ.zɑː/), two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Reza a boy or girl name?

Reza is predominantly used as a boy's name in Persian and Arabic tradition, though Rida/Ridha can occasionally be used for girls.

How popular is Reza?

Reza is one of the most common given names in Iran and widely used across Shia Muslim communities worldwide.