Who Are the Persian People? A Friendly Introduction for Kids

Have you ever heard the word Persian and wondered what it means? Let’s take a fun and simple look at who Persian people are, where they live, and what makes them unique!

What Does “Persian” Mean?

The word Persian comes from Persis, an old name for a region in today’s Iran, near the Persian Gulf. People from this area speak the Persian language, also known as Farsi. Over time, the name Persian began to describe the people, culture, and traditions of Iran.

Where Do Persian People Live?

Persians mostly live in Iran, but you can also find them in other nearby countries:

• In Afghanistan, many Persian speakers are called Tajiks or Farsiwans.

• In Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Persian-speaking people are also called Tajiks.

• In Iraq, especially the southern part, Persian groups are sometimes known by different names like Tat, Sart, or Ajam.

Even though the names might be different, they all share a connection through language, history, and culture.

A Language with Many Voices

Most Persians speak modern Persian (Farsi), but there are also many dialects and related languages. This means that even though they might all be Persian, the way they speak can sound a little different from one place to another—just like how English sounds different in the US, UK, or Australia!

Explore More with Dinolingo

Learning about people and languages is exciting! If your child wants to explore the Persian language while discovering fun stories, songs, and games, Dinolingo offers lessons for children ages 2 to 14. With just one subscription, families or classrooms can enjoy learning Persian on the web, iOS, or Android—anytime, anywhere!