Mazda
/ˈmæz.də/noun
Mazda is the name of a Japanese automobile company, derived from Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity of Zoroastrianism.
Did you know?The company adopted the name Mazda in the 1930s partly because its founder associated the Zoroastrian deity with wisdom, light, and harmony.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mn̥s-dʰeh₁-
“A reconstructed formation associated with placing or possessing wisdom; the deeper origin of the name is debated.”
Proto-Indo-Iranian
PII
*mazdʰás
“A form connected with wisdom or insight.”
Ancient Avestan
Avestan
Mazdā
“Wise or wisdom-bearing; used in the divine name Ahura Mazdā.”
Ancient Avestan
Avestan
Ahura Mazdā
“The Wise Lord, the supreme deity of Zoroastrianism.”
Middle Persian
Middle Persian
Ōhrmazd
“The Middle Persian form of Ahura Mazda, also written Ohrmazd.”
1930s
Japanese/English
Mazda
“Adopted as the name of the Japanese automobile company, drawing on the Zoroastrian divine name.”
Modern English
English
Mazda
“A global automobile brand and proper noun.”