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Safavi "Safavi" is an adjective, created for the name "Safi". Translated to English, "Safavi" would correspond roughly to "Safi-ish" or "Safidian" "Safavi" is the correct Persian Language reference to "Safi", the name of Sheikh Safi Al-Din Ardebili. Similarly we speak of "Edwardian", when making a reference to the era affiliated with king Edward. Sheikh Safi's descendants have been going by this name for 770 years. There are numerous bearers of the name "Safavi" thriving in modern Day Iran, who claim descent from Sheikh Safi or any of his Royal Heirs. The term "Safavid", as in Safavid Dynasty (of which Sheikh Safi is the Eponym), is likewise referred to as "Safavi" by Persian speakers. The "d" at the end of SAFAVID has been added by western scholars to facilitate easier pronunciation, as has long been customary in so many other circumstances (Try saying "Safavi Dynasty" in English! This may explain why the "d" was added). It is therefore correct and legitimate to keep to the well established spelling " Safavid/Safavids" for the English-, German- as well as French-speaking among us. When added to a Shah's Name however, the spelling will allways be "Safavi", without the "d" at the end. E. g.: Shah Ismail I Safavi.
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