Sepehr (Persian: سپهر) is a Persian masculine given name and surname meaning "sky, heaven" or celestial sphere. The name derives from Middle Persian spihr, related to Avestan spəṇtārə, reflecting a concept of the firmament in Zoroastrian cosmology. In Persian poetry and myth, Sepehr often denotes the revolving sky or fortune, as seen in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and works by Hafez and Rumi. Etymology and Cultural Significance The word sepehr is central to Persian cosmology, representing the nine-layered heavens in classical literature. It appears in phrases like gard-e sepehr (wheel of fate) and charkh-e sepehr (celestial sphere). The name is also associated with astronomical themes, reflecting pre-Islamic Persian beliefs. Notable Bearers Given Name Sepehr Heydari (born 1980), Iranian football player Sepehr Mohammadi (born 1989), Iranian futsal player Sepehr Salimi (born 1981), Iranian blogger and activist Surname Ahmad Ali Sepehr (1889–1976), Iranian historian and politician Mohammad Taqi Sepehr (1801–1880), Iranian court historian of the Qajar era As a surname, Sepehr is particularly linked to two major Persian historians: Mohammad Taqi Sepehr, who chronicled early Qajar history, and his descendant Ahmad Ali Sepehr, a 20th-century historian and parliamentarian. Distribution and Variants The name is predominantly used in Iran and regions of Persian cultural influence, including Afghanistan and Tajikistan (where the cognate Sipahr occurs). No common Romanized variants exist beyond Sepehr itself; transliterations like Sepeher or Sepher are rare. Meaning: Sky, heaven, celestial sphere Origin: Persian, from Middle/Iranian cosmology Type: Unisex as surname, primarily masculine as given name Usage regions: Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan