Tahmina

Tahmina is a Persian female name derived from the element tahm (تهم), meaning "brave, valiant." This name is of major significance in Persian literature, most famously as the name of a character in the 10th-century Persian epic the Shahnameh (Book of Kings) by the poet Ferdowsi.

Role in the Shahnameh

In the epic, Tahmina is the daughter of the king of Samangan (Samanganshah). The story begins when the warrior hero Rostam loses his horse, Rakhsh, and arrives at Samangan in search of it. The king greets Rostam and assures him that the horse will be found, inviting him to stay the night. That night, Tahmina, having heard of Rostam’s fame and valor, comes to his bedchambers and declares her love for him. She eventually becomes his wife and bears him a son, Sohrab. The tragic tale of Rostam and Sohrab is one of the most celebrated stories in Persian literature.

Etymology and Variants

The name Tahmina is closely related to Tahmineh, a variant used in Persian. Both forms derive from the same root meaning "brave" or "valiant." In Tajik, the name is rendered as Таҳмина (Tahmina), reflecting a similar pronunciation.

Notable Bearers

Though historically a literary figure, the name has been borne by several modern notable women. One of the most prominent is Tehmina Durrani, a Pakistani author and activist known for her memoir My Feudal Lord. Another is Sanam Tahmineh, an Afghan singer. The name is particularly common in Central and South Asia, including usages in Bengali and Tajik cultures.

• Meaning: Brave, valiant (from Persian tahm)
• Origin: Persian
• Type: Traditional feminine name
• Usage regions: Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Bengal, Pakistan