In the 19th century; the name 'Fedayee' (meaning freedom fighter); with the same etymology; was used by Armenians who formed guerrilla organizations and armed bands in reaction to the oppression and unchecked murder of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.

In the early 1990s; when the dispute with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh erupted into the Nagorno-Karabakh war; the term was used by Armenians to describe Armenian irregular units operating in the region. The term was widely used and is still used to describe the volunteers; and can be found in literature and Armenian revolutionary songs. Pictures From History