I read a theory a few years ago that Reza Shah, the leader of Iran in WW2 era, changed the name of Persia to Iran because it means "Land of the Aryans" and would therefore keep Hitler from invading. Since there was a Semite population in Iran at the time, it could have ended up on Hitler's chopping block.

The Wikipedia article says he changed the name because western countries called them Persia/Persians but they called themselves Iran/Iranians.

If true, it would be s hilarious point of conversation with certain Iranians who are holocaust deniers.