Zoroastrian
/ˌzɔːr.oʊˈæs.tri.ən/noun
Relating to Zoroaster or to the religious tradition founded on his teachings.
Did you know?The familiar form “Zoroaster” comes through Greek, while the prophet’s original Iranian name was Zarathustra—a transformation that helped shape Western ideas about Persian wisdom and sacred fire.
Etymological Timeline
Possibly 2nd millennium BCE
Avestan
Zaraθuštra
“The prophet’s original Iranian name; its exact meaning remains disputed by scholars.”
1st millennium BCE
Old Iranian
Zarathushtra
“An early Iranian form of the name associated with the teacher of the Mazda-worshipping tradition.”
Classical Antiquity
Ancient Greek
Ζωροάστρης (Zōroastrēs)
“Greek rendering of Zarathustra’s name, later transmitted into Latin and European languages.”
Middle Persian
Middle Persian
Zardušt
“Persian form of the prophet’s name in Zoroastrian religious and literary tradition.”
18th Century
English
Zoroastrian
“English adjective and noun formed from Zoroaster, referring to the religion and its followers.”
Modern English
English
Zoroastrian
“Relating to Zoroaster, Zoroastrianism, or its living religious community.”
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