Tigran is an ancient
Persian name comprised of
two parts: Tigr and An. Tigr means
arrow and An is an ancient
Persian reference to God. Therefore, Tigran means
arrow of God. Please keep in mind that the term "Ancient Persia" is a term of
art. Ancient Elamites, Ancient Persians (Achemenid Persians popularly represented in modern culture through Cirus, Xerxes, and Darius for example), Parthians, Safavid Persians, and many others are referred to as Persians. It is believed that Tigran is among one of the most ancient names of humanity spreading among Elamites, Achemenids, and Akkadians.
In ancient Mesopotamia,
boys named as Tigran would be great warriors. In 21st Century, the name Tigran survived only in Armenia and Armenian communities worldwide. But the name is as old as Mesopotamia and is a West
Asian name. Why did the name survive among Armenians?
History tells us that Armenian Kingdom had a King named Tigrannes the Great. And prior to Tigrannes the Great, several hundred years prior, there was another Tigran as a ruler. During those times the great powers were Akadia, Assyria, and Achemenid Persia, along with Media. The
famous Battle of Marathon for example was between Achemenid Persia and Athens. Achemenid Empire lasted for several hundred years.
From these observations, we can at least infer that the name Tigran existed during Cirus, Darius, and Xerxes.
In conclusion, the name Tigran is at least as ancient as the name Cirus, Xerxes, Darius, etc.
