Mirza (name)

Mirza and Mirzad (man), and Mirzada (woman) ( or ; Persian: , romanized: Mīrzā) is a multi-ethnic name of Persian origin. It is used as a surname or prefix to identify patriarchal lineage. It is derived from the term Mirzada (Persian: , romanized: Mīrzāda, lit.'born of the lord').

Mirza and Mirzad for men, and Mirzada for women are titles inherited by descendants of their mothers who hold the title Sharifa / Sayyida / Habiba / Lalla and their fathers who are not Sayyid / Sharif / Habib / Moulay / Sidi and do not have a title inherited from their father.

A Mirza can inherit the titles Mirza, Mirzad and Mirzada to subsequent descendants while a Mirzada cannot be inherited to subsequent descendants.

It is a historical royal and noble title, denoting the rank of a prince (mirza or mirzad) or a princess (mirzada), high nobleman, distinguished military commander, or a scholar. Specifically, it was used as a title by (and today signifies patriarchal lineage to) the various Persian Empires, the Nogai Horde, Shirvanshahs and Circassians of the North Caucasus and the Mughals of the Indian subcontinent. It was also a title bestowed upon members of the highest aristocracies in Tatar states, such as the Khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan.