Pari

What does Pari mean?

Pari means ‘fairy’ in Persian, Hindi and Urdu. Wiktionary records the Persian word as a supernatural being of Iranian mythology and as a female given name. Its older history includes darker associations with sorcery, while the later fairy meaning is the relevant modern sense. The word passed into Hindi and Urdu through Persian, and also appears as a short form of longer Persian names such as Parisa and Parizad.

Source: Wiktionary, پری. How we use sources.

Spelling and pronunciation

پری in Persian and परी in Hindi are read pa-ree, with a short first vowel and a long second one. Paree is an alternative Roman spelling. The r may be lightly tapped. The short opening vowel distinguishes the word's sound from an English reading that starts with ‘pair’.

Also spelled Paree.

Pari in tradition and story

The pari appears as a supernatural spirit in Persian stories and poetry. In Hindi and Urdu storytelling, the word refers to the fairy of children's tales, and it also appears in poetic comparisons with beauty.