Manuchehr

Manuchehr (منوچهر) is a historically attested Middle Persian personal name encountered in Persian epic literature, most notably in the Shahnameh where Manuchehr is a legendary king in the genealogies of Iranian epic tradition. Philological readings derive it from Manūčihr (Manū + čihr); scholars commonly interpret components to suggest an idea of 'immortal/eternal lineage' or 'the soul's visage' depending on morphological analysis in Middle Iranian. Though pre‑Islamic in origin, the name has continued in Persianate Muslim societies as a literary and rare given name, valued for its epic associations and antiquity. Manuchehr connects culturally to other Shahnameh names such as [[Rostam]] and [[Zahhak]], and is used by families who emphasize Persian literary heritage alongside Muslim identity. It is not a Qur'anic name but is well documented in Persian historiography and epic poetry.