Armita is a female Persian given name. Armita is derived from the

Avestan Avestan ( ) is the liturgical language of Zoroastrianism. It belongs to the Iranian languages, Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages, Indo-European language family and was First language, originally spoken during the Avestan period, Old ...

name Ārmaiti, which refers to "holy devotion" or "divine creativity." The name has found popularity among Persian-speaking communities and within Zoroastrianism. The name has increased in usage in recent years along with other Zoroastrian inspired names. Ārmaiti, also known as Spəntā Ārmaiti, Spandārmad in

Pahlavi Pahlavi may refer to: Iranian royalty *Seven Parthian clans, ruling Parthian families during the Sasanian Empire *Pahlavi dynasty, the ruling house of Imperial State of Persia/Iran from 1925 until 1979 **Reza Shah Pahlavi (1878–1944), Shah of ...

, and Isfandārmad in Persian, is one of the six great Aməša Spəntas who, along with Ahura Mazdā, form the Zoroastrian Heptad. Her name means "piety" or "devotion," and in Zoroaster's Gāθās, she is often described with the adjective spənta, meaning "bounteous" or "holy." Ārmaiti is essential for righteousness, guiding humans towards a good life and salvation. Zoroaster metaphorically described her as the "daughter" of

Ahura Mazdā Ahura Mazda (; ; or , ),The former is the New Persian rendering of the Avestan form, while the latter derives from Middle Persian. also known as Horomazes (),, is the only creator deity and god of the sky in the ancient Iranian religion ...

, highlighting her close relationship with the supreme deity. Ārmaiti is associated with the earth, which she protects and nurtures. In Zoroastrian rituals, Ārmaiti is symbolically represented by the earth of the consecrated precinct, emphasizing her nurturing aspect. Texts such as the Bundahišn describe her as providing complete mindfulness of Ahura Mazdā to his creatures and protecting the souls of the just. Ārmaiti's role extends to safeguarding women, paralleling the earth's nurturing of life. Her name is celebrated in the

Zoroastrian calendar Adherents of Zoroastrianism use three distinct versions of traditional calendars for Zoroastrian festivals, liturgical purposes. Those all derive from Middle Ages, medieval Iranian calendars and ultimately are based on the Babylonian calendar a ...

, with the fifth day of the first month and the twelfth month dedicated to her. Her festival, known as ǰašn-e barzīgarān, is a time for both agricultural and women's celebrations, reflecting her dual role as the protector of the earth and women. This festival, which includes customs like visiting daḵmas to pray for the deceased, has been an important community event, especially among

Zoroastrians in Iran Zoroastrianism is considered to be the oldest religion still practiced in Iran. It is an Iranian religion that emerged around the 2nd millennium BCE, spreading through the Iranian plateau and eventually gaining official status under the Achaem ...

, lasting well into the twentieth century. Notable people with the name include: * Armita Abbasi *

Armita Geravand Armita Geravand () was a 17-year-old Iranian girl who fell into a coma on the Tehran Metro on 1 October 2023 after an alleged encounter with officers enforcing Islamic Hijab. She was held in the intensive care unit of an Army hospital where she ...

References

Persian feminine given names Feminine given names {{Given name