Kayvan (also spelled Keyvan, Kayvon, Kaivon, Keivan, Kaywan, Kavon, Kevan, or Kaevon; ) is a
Persian language masculine given name denoting the planet Saturn.
[Dehkhoda Dictionary "Online" . No other meaning is given.][Mohammad Moin, (1997). Farhang-e Farsi (Persian Dictionary), Volume 6, p. 1644, Tehran, Amirkabir, . No other meaning is given.] It is related to the word for Saturn in several ancient languages, including
Kaimanu in Sumerian,
Kajamānu[ "Online Akkadian Dictionary" , Association Assyrophile de France.][The Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, Volume 8, p. 36.] in Akkadian,
Kewwān in
Syriac language,
in Classical Mandaic, and "Kewan"
(kywʾn')[A Concise Pahlavi Dictionary, D. N. MacKenzie, Oxford University Press, London, 1971, p. 51. "pdf" ] in
Middle Persian. That a 16th-century high priest of
Istakhr was named
Azar Kayvan suggests that "Kayvan" was used as a name for a person in Iran as early as that time, particularly among followers of
Zoroastrianism. To date "Kayvan" is a popular name among families following
Zoroastrianism.
Kayvan is distinct from the similar Persian word
Kayhan, meaning "universe", also used as a masculine given name. To English speakers, the spelling
Kayvon is closest to the Persian pronunciation, .
"Saturday", the day of Saturn, finds its Classical Persian equivalent in "Keyvānshid".[ "Mithraism, Influence on Christianity", Iran Chamber Society.]
In Persian literature
- In the name of the Lord of Life and wisdom
- To nothing sublimer can thought be applied
- The Lord of "Kayvan" and the turning sky
- Who causeth Venus, Sun, and Moon to shine.
[Shahnameh ferdowsi]
In the geocentric model, Saturn was on the highest planetary sphere, the seventh. As a result, in Persian poetry, “Kayvan” usually connotes physical elevation or exalted status. Related to this connotation are compound adjectives of praise such as "Kayvan-manesh" (of lofty nature[Sanai, Qasida "19", beit 9]), “Kayvan-manzelat” (of lofty position[Under construction.]).
The 14th-century poet Khwaju Kermani writes to his beloved:
- Neither are you one to tend to my tired cries,
- Nor am I one to not let them to "Kayvan" rise.
[Khwaju Kermani, ghazal "246", beit 7.]
Three centuries earlier, Sanai is doubtful that just any poet can match his own skills:
- Reaching “Kayvan", fancies he, with his arrow?
- Mere fancy: mere iron is his bow.
[Sanai, Qasida "35" beit 21.]
Rumi writes:
- Drop your business: "horse and cargo".
- The cup’s the horse, load the Persian wine.
- Into the sky then watch go
- High as “Kayvan”, your business, divine.
[Rumi, ghazal “149”, beit 4.]
It is high praise to suggest that Saturn is in one's service. Khwaju Kermani writes:
- Brahmin of the world of the six doors,
[The “six doors” represent the six directions in a three-dimensional world. Moin, Mohammad, (1997). Farhang-e Farsi (Persian Dictionary), Volume 2, p. 2044, Tehran, Amirkabir, .] still,
- Soaring "Kayvan" is but an agent of our will.
[Khwaju Kermani, ghazal "84", beit 4.]
Saturn's other associations appear less frequently. It is the constable of the heavens. It appears darker than the inner planets. In Roman and Greek mythologies, Saturn and its Greek origin Cronus were at times associated with old age.[In a musical example, Saturn is "The Bringer of Old Age" in Gustav Holst's "The Planets".] In astrology, Saturn is the Malefic planet, the bringer of bad luck. This last association appears not to affect contemporary Persian-speaking parents' choice of names for their sons.
Khaghani, writing in the 12th century, complains:
- By the curses of life, on the seventh sky I landed,
- Like “Kayvan”: not one cohort of luck, stranded.
[Khaghani, ghazal "215", beit 7.]
While referring to Saturn's status, Masud Sa'd Salman contrasts old and young and good and bad luck:
- This child, though great as old "Kayvan", as all appraise,
- The luck of the young, like a governess, will raise.
[Masud Sa'd Salman, Qasida "1", beit 32.]
Putting together another combination, Sa'di compliments his beautiful and possibly tall beloved. The dark Indian dot on her forehead is likened to the constable Saturn.
- On the roof of that house of beauty, your face,
- Your Indian “Kayvan” stands guard with grace.
[Sa'di, ghazal "626", beit 8.]
Given name
-
Keivan Amraei (born 1986), Iranian footballer
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Keyvan Andres (born 2000), German-Iranian racing driver
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Keivan Ghanbarzadeh (born 1990), Iranian high jumper
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Kayvan Khalatbari (born 1983), American entrepreneur
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Keyvan Khosrovani (born 1938), Iranian architect, lighting designer, fashion designer and couturier
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Keyvan Jenkins (born 1961), American gridiron football player
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Kaevon Merriweather (born 1999), American football player
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Kayvan Mirhadi (born 1960), Iranian composer
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Kayvan Najarian, Iranian scientist
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Kayvan Novak (born 1978), British actor
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Adrian Kayvan Pasdar (born 1965), American actor and film director
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Keyvan Rafiee, Iranian political activist
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Keywan Riahi, Austrian resident
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Keivan Saket (born 1961), Iranian composer
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Keyvan Shovir (born 1985), Iranian-born American street artist
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Keivan Stassun (born 1972), American physicist and astronomer
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Kayvon Thibodeaux (born 2000), American football player
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Keyvan Vahdani (1991-2019), Iranian footballer
-
Kayvon Webster (born 1991), American football player
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Kayvon Zand, American musician
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Keivan Zarineh (born 1985), former Italian-Iranian professional footballer
Surname
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Anthony Keyvan (born 2000), American actor
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Azar Kayvan (1529–1609), a Zoroastrian high priest of Istakhr
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Morteza Keyvan (1921-1954), Iranian poet, art critic, newspaper editor and political activist
See also
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Kiwan in Mandaeism
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Remphan, the Septuagint form of Kayvan, mentioned in the Book of Acts
