Shahzad (also spelled Shehzad) is a given name and surname of Persian origin, primarily used in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu-speaking cultures. The name is composed of two Persian elements: شاه (Shah, meaning 'king') and زاد (Zad, meaning 'son of'), thus literally translating to 'son of the king' or 'prince'. This etymology reflects a common onomastic tradition in the Persianate world where compound names denoting royalty or nobility were popular.The term is closely related to the Turkish Şehzade, which has the same meaning and was historically the title for male descendants of Ottoman sultans. In Iran and South Asia, the variant Shahzada (Urdu: شہزادہ) is also used with identical connotations. Historically, the name Shahzad belonged to several princely figures across the Indian subcontinent and Persia, rarely the title itself but often borne by members of royal families or nobility.The name serves as both a patronymic and a given name, even in regions where the monarchy has dissolved. According to Wiktionary and other linguistic sources, its earliest attestations can be found in classical Persian literature, where it appears in epic poetry to denote any son of a ruler. The form's spread through Islamic cultures was facilitated by Turkic and Mongol dynasties that adopted Persian bureaucratic and literary conventions.Notable BearersAmong modern bearers, Shehzad Tanweer (1982–2005) was one of the perpetrators of the July 7, 2005 London bombings, bringing the name into global news. Shazad Latif (born 1988) is a British actor known for his roles in 'Star Trek: Discovery' and 'Penny Dreadful'. Shahzad Ukani (born 1985) is a Ugandan cricketer. As a surname, Ahmed Shehzad (born 1991) and Mohammad Shahzad (born 1991) are international cricketers for Pakistan and Afghanistan respectively. Faisal Shahzad (born 1979) is a Pakistani-American convicted of terrorism. Syed Saleem Shahzad (1970–2011) was a Pakistani journalist who was kidnapped and killed. Khurram Shahzad (born 1981) is a Pakistani weightlifter.Meaning: Son of the king, princeOrigin: Persian (Shah + zad)Type: Masculine given name and surnameUsage regions: Arabic, Persian, Urdu cultures; common in Iran, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan