Mihrab

Derived from Middle Persian mihr meaning "sun" combined with Middle Persian āb meaning "water". As such, one could say that the meaning of this name is roughly "sun in the water" (in reference to the reflection of sunlight in the water). However, if we take into account the fact that the name of the Persian god Mithra was often abbreviated to Mihr and that Mithra is etymologically related to the Persian word for "sun", then it is also possible that the name means "water of Mithra" instead. Further, for the sake of being thorough, in Middle Persian mihr can also mean "contract, covenant, bond" as well as "love, friendship" - but neither of those meanings can be applied to this name, for they make no sense in combination with āb "water".