Mehtab

Mehtab is a name that literally evokes moonlight. It comes from Persian elements meaning moon and light, and it is used to suggest the soft, luminous quality of moonshine rather than the moon as an object.

The overall tone of Mehtab is lyrical and gently poetic. It feels romantic and slightly exotic to English speakers while remaining familiar across South Asian and Persianate communities. The name sits comfortably between traditional and modern use, often paired with names such as Noor or Qamar when families want a clear celestial theme.

Mehtab comes from Persian, composed of مه (mah), meaning moon, and تاب (tab), meaning light or brightness. In Persian poetry and literature the moon and its light are frequent metaphors for beauty and gentleness, so the compound naturally found a place as a given name.

The spelling Mehtab is common in South Asia, especially among Urdu and Persian speakers. An alternate spelling is Mahtab. In Persian script it appears as مهتاب. Over time the name has been used for both genders in different regions, though in South Asia Mehtab is commonly given to boys while Mahtab is more often used for girls. The name shares its celestial imagery with other names such as Qamar, used across Arabic speaking communities, and with broader moon names like Luna in European contexts.