-stan

-stan has the meaning of "a place abounding in" or "a place where anything abounds" as a suffix. It originated in the Persian language, but is widely used by other Iranian languages as well as the Shaz Turkic languages (excluding Siberian Turkic) and other languages historically influenced by Persian. The suffix appears in the names of many regions throughout West, Central and South Asia, and parts of the Caucasus and Russia.
The derived suffix -standar (or ostandar) was used for administrative titles of -stan governors in Iran when the country was led by the Sasanian dynasty.
Etymology and cognates
The suffix -stan is analogous to the suffix -land, present in many country and location names. The suffix is also used more generally, as in Persian "place of sand, desert", "place of flowers, garden", "graveyard, cemetery", Hindustân "Land of the Indus".
Originally an independent noun, this morpheme evolved into a suffix by virtue of appearing frequently as the last part in nominal compounds. It is of Indo-Iranian and ultimately Indo-European origin. It is cognate with the English word state, Polish stan (state), and with Sanskrit (Devanagari: ), meaning "the act of standing", from which many further meanings derive, including "place, location; abode, dwelling", and ultimately descends from Proto-Indo-Iranian , partly loaned into Ancient Greek as .
Countries
In their native languages, the countries endonyms would be,
- افغانستان (Afghānistān)
- Қазақстан (Qazaqstan)
- Кыргызстан (Kyrgyzstan)
- پاکستان (Pākistān)
- Тоҷикистон (Tojikiston)
- Türkmenistan
- Ўзбекистон (O'zbekiston)
Some of these nations were also known with the Latinate suffix during their time as Soviet republics: Turkmenistan was frequently Turkmenia, Kyrgyzstan often Kirghizia, and even Uzbekistan was very rarely Uzbekia. In addition, the native name of Armenia is Hayastan, hay being the endonym of Armenians.
Country names in various languages
Administrative divisions
The following table lists the subnational entities of different countries that end with -stan.
Administrative subdivisions
The following list shows some examples of some second-level, third-level, and fourth-level subdivisions inside different countries that have their names ending in a -stan-like suffix.
In Afghanistan
In Armenia
In India
In Iran
Dehestan is the name of an administrative division in Iran.
In Pakistan
In Tajikistan
In other countries
Regions
Arabistan – the name of the Arabian Peninsula and other meanings
Arbayistan – a late-antiquity Sasanian satrap
Asal Hindustan – a name for the Kingdom of Nepal
Asoristan – the province of Babylonia under the Sassanid Empire
Azadistan – a short-lived state in the Iranian province of Azarbaijan under Mohammad Khiabani
Balawaristan – a revived historical name of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Balochistan/Baluchistan – a region in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
Baltistan – a northern region in Pakistan
Bantustan – an Apartheid-era South African and South West African black 'homeland' (the term coined by analogy)
Cholistan Desert – a desert region in Punjab, Pakistan
Dardistan – a region in northern Pakistan of Dardu speakers
Dihistan – a Sasanian province
East Pakistan – the historic name for pre-independence Bangladesh
East Turkestan or Uyghuristan – a region dominated by Uyghurs, located in northwest China
Gharchistan – a medieval region in Afghanistan
Hazaristan – the Hazarajat, homeland of the Hazaras in central Afghanistan
Hindustan – Persian name for India, broadly the Indian subcontinent.
Indostan – archaic usage in European languages for Hindostan.
Iraqi Kurdistan – Kurdish-populated part of northern Iraq
Kadagistan – Kadagistan was the name of an eastern Sasanian province in the region of Tokharistan (in what is now north-eastern Afghanistan).
Kafiristan (land of the infidels) – historic region in Afghanistan until 1896, now known as Nuristan. A similarly named region exists in north Pakistan.
Kohistan – several regions of this name exist
Kurdistan – Kurdish region. See also Iranian Kurdistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, Syrian Kurdistan, and Turkish Kurdistan.
Lezgistan – ethnolinguistic region in southern Dagestan and northern Azerbaijan
North Waziristan – northern part of Waziristan region in Pakistan
Pashtunistan – the area of Afghanistan and North-Western Pakistan historically inhabited by the Pashtun tribes
Qabailistan – a region in western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Quhistan – a region of medieval Persia, essentially the southern part of Greater Khorasan
Registan – historic site in Samarkand, meaning "place of sand"
Russian Turkestan – Turkestan in the Russian Empire, later Turkestan Autonomous SSR
Sakastan or Sistan – a historical and geographical region in present-day eastern Iran (Sistan and Baluchestan Province) and southern Afghanistan
Saraikistan – a region in the south-western part of Punjab, Pakistan, with a majority of Saraiki speakers
South Waziristan – southern part of Waziristan region in Pakistan
Talyshstan – ethnolinguistic region in the SE Caucasus and NW Iran
Tatarstan – administrative division of Russia in eastern Europe
Tokharistan, Tocharistan or Tukharistan, also known as Balkh or Bactria – the ancient name of a historical region in Central Asia, located between the range of the Hindu Kush and the Amu Darya (Oxus)
Turgistan or Turestan – a Sasanian province
Turkestan or Turkistan – ethnolinguistic region of Turkic peoples and languages, encompassing Central Asia, northwest China, parts of the Caucasus, and Asia Minor
Uyghurstan, China, same as East Turkestan
Waziristan – a region of northwest Pakistan
Historical regions
Frangistan – a historical term used (by Muslims and Persians in particular) to refer to Western or Christian Europe.
Kabulistan – a historical name of the territory centered around present-day Kabul Province of Afghanistan.
Lazistan – a historical and cultural region of the Caucasus and Anatolia, traditionally inhabited by the Laz people.
Moghulistan (Mughalistan) – a historical area in Central Asia that included parts of modern-day Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Xinjiang
Tabaristan – a historical mountainous region located on the Caspian coast of Northern Iran.
Zabulistan – a historical region roughly corresponding to today's Zabul Province in southern Afghanistan.
Proposed names
Bangalistan – a proposed state in India.
Khalistan – a proposed country for the Sikh people.
Maronistan – a proposed name for Maronite state in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War.
Romanistan – a proposed country for the Romani people.
Saraikistan – a proposed province in Pakistan.
Zazaistan – a suggested name for the region where the Zazas live.
Fictional
Absurdistan - various
Adjikistan – a fictional central Asian country in the video game SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault.
Aldastan – a fictional central Asian country consisting of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, from Command & Conquer: Generals.
Antagonistan – a fictional country in Heavy Weapon
Ardistan – a fictional country in the novel Ardistan und Djinnistan by Karl May.
Avgatiganistan – a pun of 'Afghanistan', it means 'Fried eggs' ('Avga tiganista') in Greek. Fictional country by author Eugene Trivizas.
Azadistan – a fictional kingdom from the anime Mobile Suit Gundam 00; it means "free land".
Azmanastan (or Uzmenistan) – a fictional country and region in the film The Expendables 3.
Backhairistan- the fictional homeland of Bolbi Stroganovsky, a character from the cartoon series Jimmy Neutron
Bananastan – A fictional country from the Popeye the Sailor comic book series, which was ruled by Saddam Shahame, a parody of Saddam Hussein, an Iraqi dictator.
Bangistan – a fictional country in the Bollywood movie Bangistan (2015) starring Riteish Deshmukh and Pulkit Samrat.
Bazrakhistan – a fictional former Soviet republic in the movie Act of War (1998) starring Jack Scalia.
Belgistan – a fictional Middle Eastern country in the anime Gasaraki.
Berzerkistan – a fictional republic run by genocidal terrorist godhead and President for life, Trff Bmzklfrpz, in the comic strip Doonesbury.
Bilalistan - a country in the film Lion's Blood
Brajikistan – a fictional country from season 2 of the teen sitcom Wingin' It.
Capustan – a fictional city-state in Malazan Book of the Fallen.
Cobrastan – a fake fictional country made up by a character named Jorji Costava in his passport from the game Papers, Please.
Darujhistan – a fictional city-state in Malazan Book of the Fallen.
Derkaderkastan – a fictional Middle Eastern country in Team America: World Police.
Djinnistan – a fictional country in the novel Ardistan und Djinnistan by Karl May.
Franistan – a fictional country referred to in the television show I Love Lucy.
Frigistan – a fictional country in Heavy Weapon
Gohet Gostan – a fictional country in Tiga Abdul
Hachmachistan – fictional country in Kickin' It
Helmajistan – a fictional area from the anime Full Metal Panic!.
Howduyustan ("how do you stand?") – a fictional country from the Uncle Scrooge comic book stories.
Irakistan – a fictional country in the game Broforce
Iranistan – an oriental region of Hyborea (Conan the Barbarian stories).
Istan – a fictional island state in the online role-playing game, Guild Wars Nightfall.
Jazeristan – fictional country in the movie The Misfits.
Kamistan (Islamic Republic of) – a fictional Middle Eastern country featured in the television series 24.
Kazanistan – an ideal state imagined by John Rawls in The Law of Peoples, in which there is a system of law, legal representation for all groups, and a respect for basic human rights, but not full democracy.
Kehjistan – the state of the eastern jungles in the game Diablo II.
Kekistan – a fictional country created by 4chan members that has become a political meme and online movement.
Kerakhistan – a fictional Middle Eastern country featured in the tabletop miniature wargame Battlefield Evolution.
Kerplakistan – fictional country in Big Time Rush
Kreplachistan – a fictional country in the Austin Powers film series.
Langtbortistan – a fictional country in the Danish Donald Duck cartoons, literally meaning "far-away-in-stan"
Lojbanistan – the fictional country Lojbanists imagine themselves inhabiting
Moldovistan – a fictional island country in The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest.
Obristan – a fictional country in Papers, Please.
Paristan or Pari-estan – a fairyland in the folklore of Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia.
Pokolistan – a fictional country in DC Comics.
Serdaristan – a fictional country in Battlefield: Bad Company.
Skandistan - a fictional country in western Russia in The Times of Rice and Salt
Stanistan
Taboulistan – a fictional country in Vive la France
Takistan – a fictional country in ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead.
Tazbekistan – a fictional central Asian nation in the BBC television series Ambassadors.
Trashcanistan – a fictional country mentioned by the hosts of "MXC".
Turaqistan – a fictional country in the movie War, Inc.
Turgistan – a fictional central Asian dictatorship in 6 Underground.
Turmezistan – a fictional country in Doctor Who.
Tyrgyzstan – a fictional country in the BBC television drama The State Within.
Urzikstan – a fictional country in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019 video game)
Ustinkistan – fictional country in The Fairly OddParents
Yakyakistan – a fictional northern country in My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.
Zekistan – a fictional central Asian nation in the video game Full Spectrum Warrior.
Other
Absurdistan – sometimes used to satirically describe a country where everything goes wrong
Angyalistan – a micronation that claims garbage patches in international waters
Autistan – the "metaphorical country" of the autistic people
Bailoutistan (or Bailoutistan 2.0) - sarcastic term for Greece following the European Union bail out packages, coined by Yanis Varoufakis in his book 'Adults in the Room: My Battle With the European and American Deep Establishment'
Bimaristan – a kind of hospital in medieval Persia and the medieval Islamic world
Bradistan – a moniker for Bradford, England, owing to its large population of Pakistani worker migrants
Canuckistan (full name being The People's Republic of Soviet Canuckistan) – epithet for Canada, used by Pat Buchanan on 31 October 2002, on his television show on MSNBC in which he denounced Canadians as anti-American and the country as a haven for terrorists. He was reacting to Canadian criticisms of US security measures regarding Arab Canadians
Cavaquistan (Cavaquistão in Portuguese) – a name coined after the former Portuguese President and Prime-Minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva, referring to the regions of Portugal where he achieved landslide victories in the elections held in the late 1980s and early 1990s (especially in the Viseu District); intended pun with Kazakhstan (Cazaquistão in Portuguese)
Dalitstan.org – a Dalit advocacy website active until mid-2006, one of 18 websites that were blocked by the Indian government to check for hate messages following the 2006 Mumbai train bombings.
Extremistan and Mediocristan – used by author Nassim Nicholas Taleb to illustrate concepts of black swan theory in The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
Filmistan – a film-production company
Fondukistan or Fondoqestān – an early medieval settlement and Buddhist monastery in Afghanistan
Gazimestan – name of a monument commemorating the historical Battle of Kosovo
Hookturnistan – satirical name of Melbourne, Victoria, due to the large number of hook turns on city roads
Hamastan – a concept of a Palestinian Islamic government with Sharia as law
Iranistan – a pseudo-orientalist mansion built for P. T. Barnum in 1848 in Connecticut
Islamistan – means 'Land of Islam', used in various contexts
Londonistan – French counter-terrorism agents gave the British/English capital of London this sobriquet. Sometimes used derogatorily to refer to the large immigrant, especially Muslim, population in London.
Muristan – a complex of streets and shops in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem
New Yorkistan – the title of the cover art for the 10 December 2001, edition of The New Yorker magazine
The New Yorkistan map itself included various districts ending in -stan, e.g., Bronxistan, Cold Turkeystan, Fuhgeddabouditstan, Gaymenistan, Taxistan, Youdontunderstandistan, etc.
Orbánistan – a derogatory term for Hungary under the rule of Viktor Orbán
Paganistan – the pagan/neo-pagan community of Minneapolis-Saint Paul in Minnesota
Quebecistan – a term coined by Barbara Kay in 2006 in reference to Quebec, Canada.
Sarvestan – a Sasanian-era palace in the Iranian province of Sarvestan
Shabestan – an underground space, usually found in the traditional architecture of mosques, houses, and schools in ancient Persia
Shahrestan (several meanings)
Skateistan – a skateboarding/educational organization based in Kabul, Afghanistan
Talibanistan – a name for the government of Afghanistan under the Taliban
Zaqistan – a micronation currently in Nevada
See also
-abad
-an
-desh
-land
-patnam
-pur
-tania
List of geographic names of Iranian origin
Oikonyms in Western and South Asia
Notes
References
Sources
Further reading
Maciuszak, Kinga. The Persian Suffix -(e)stān 'The Land Of' Studia Etymologica Cracoviensia 13 (2008): 119–140.
External links
Suffixes
Place name element etymologies
Persian words and phrases
Bengali words and phrases
English suffixes
Nepali words and phrases