From Middle Persian 𐫢𐫇𐫁𐫀𐫗 (šwbʾn /⁠šubān⁠/), from Old Persian *fšupāna-, composed of [script needed] (fšu-, “sheep”) (compare Old Armenian շպետ (špet), Sanskrit पशुपन् (paśupan)) and [script needed] (pāna-, “protector”). Cognate with Pashto شپون (špun), Baluchi شپانک (šipánk), Northern Kurdish şivan, Zazaki şıwane, Northern Luri شڤا (şeva), Bactrian χοβανο (khobano).