My first name, Jacob, traces its origins to the biblical figure Ya'akov, the Hebrew translation of the name found in the Old Testament. Although I was named after my grandfather’s childhood friend, Jacob Rubin, I take more pride in the historical and spiritual weight of my name. Ya'akov was a pivotal figure in the Old Testament—"the traditional ancestor of the people of Israel" ("Jacob") and the grandson of Abraham, whom God chose as the first patriarch. In the story of the Torah, Jacob represented truth, growth, and intelligence - characteristics I strive to embody. 

My middle name, Benjamin, also has strong biblical roots, though in this case, my parents chose it specifically because of its religious connections. Derived from the Hebrew name Binyamin, the name belongs to Yaakov's youngest son. While interpretations vary, Benjamin represents traits of opportunity, strength, and hope. The connection between my first and middle names is particularly meaningful—father and son, bound by history, lineage, and faith.

While my first and middle names are among the most common in the world, my last name carries a far more unique and complex history. My ancestors originally bore the surname Cohen, representing our lineage from the priestly Kohanim tribe. However, during the Iranian Revolution of the 1970s, as the Shah's rule collapsed and the new Islamic regime sought to purge Jews from the country, my great-grandfather was forced to make a critical decision to protect our family from persecution. He changed our surname to Shirazi, after the Iranian city of Shiraz, disguising our Jewish heritage in a time of "escalating violence and disorder" (Afary).

The brutality of that era was deeply personal for my family - something that makes us even more connected to our last name. My great-grandmother's uncle, Habib Elghanian—sometimes called the Titan of Tehran—became the first Jew publicly executed by the Khomeini regime. As a prominent businessman and vocal supporter of Jewish rights, he was a prime target, and his execution sent shockwaves through the Jewish community, forcing many to flee. His story reminds us of where we came from and the sacrifices that shaped the opportunities we have today. Our last name, "Shirazi," truly speaks to our story and the larger history of the Persian Jewish Diaspora. 

My name is one of the most basic and unique in the world. One that spans from biblical times to the tales of 1970 Iran to the modern era. Eight-syllables. Twenty letters. Three words. My name is Jacob Benjamin Shirazi, and this is my story.

Worked Cited

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Jacob". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Feb. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacob-Hebrew-patriarch. Accessed 15 February 2025.

Afary, Janet. "Iranian Revolution". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Feb. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/Iranian-Revolution. Accessed 15 February 2025.