Javad
Javad is a Muslim boy name meaning “Generous, open-handed”.
| Meaning | Generous, open-handed |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Arabic, Persian pronunciation |
| Arabic spelling | جواد |
| Pronunciation | jah-VAHD |
| Arabic root | ج و د (j-w-d) — to be generous |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Javad
Javad goes back to the Arabic Jawād, from the root j-w-d, which covers goodness, excellence and especially generosity. Jawād describes a person who gives freely and readily, more than simply 'kind'. In classical Arabic the same word was also used of a fine, swift horse, which shows that the root links generosity with excellence. English translations such as 'generous', 'open-handed' and 'liberal' differ only in tone. Jawwād, with a doubled w, is an intensive form, 'very generous'.
Persian regularly turns the Arabic w sound into v, so Jawād is pronounced Javād in Iran and Afghanistan, and it is written جواد in both languages. Turkish has Cevad or Cevat and Azerbaijani has Cavad, while Jawad is the usual spelling in the Arab world and in Urdu. Among Shia Muslims the name is closely tied to the ninth Imam, Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Jawād, also called al-Taqī, who is buried in Kadhimiya in Baghdad. For this reason the compound Mohammad Javad is especially common in Iran, as with the diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Famous people named Javad
- Muḥammad al-Jawād — the ninth Imam in Twelver Shia Islam
- Mohammad Javad Zarif — Iranian diplomat and former foreign minister
- Javad Nekounam — Iranian footballer and former national team captain
Is Javad a Muslim name?
Yes. Javad is a Muslim name, the Persian form of the Arabic Jawad, meaning generous.
Where is the name Javad used?
Very common in Iran and Azerbaijan (Cavad); Jawad is the Arabic and Urdu spelling.
Gifts with the name Javad
- Javad name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Javad baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Javad
Read more
- Afghan & Pashto Muslim names guide
- Persian Muslim names guide
- Central Asian & Caucasus Muslim names guide
More boy names like Javad
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Javad mean?
Javad means 'Generous, open-handed'. It comes from Arabic, Persian pronunciation.
Is Javad a Muslim name?
Yes. Javad is a Muslim name, the Persian form of the Arabic Jawad, meaning generous.
How do you write Javad in Arabic?
Javad is written جواد in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Javad?
Javad is pronounced jah-VAHD.
Is Javad the same name as Jawad?
Yes. Javad is the Persian pronunciation of the Arabic Jawad, both meaning generous; Persian turns the Arabic w into v.
How do you write Javad in Persian?
Javad is written جواد, the same as the Arabic Jawad.
Why is Javad popular among Shia Muslims?
Al-Jawad, 'the generous', was the title of the ninth Imam, Muhammad ibn Ali, so Shia families often choose Javad or Mohammad Javad in his honour.