Origin, Meaning, And History Of Soraya
The feminine name Soraya has a rich history and origin. It is a Persian name that is derived from the Arabic name for the Pleiades star cluster Thurayya. The name has several other connotations such as ‘rich’ and ‘princess.’ The Pleiades are a group of stars representing Atlas and Oceanus’s seven daughters in Greek mythology. In common man terms, the Pleiades cluster refers to the constellation Taurus. The name is perfect for parents who want to incite curiosity in their baby girl and encourage them to make discoveries while lying under the stars.
Soraya became famous in Europe thanks to its association with Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari, a European socialite and the second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran, who settled in Europe, primarily in France.
This exotic name is pronounced “soh-RAH-yah.” Although Soraya is the dominant spelling of this beautiful name, several other variants exist depending on geography. The name is usually transcribed as Suraya in Afghanistan and Surayo in Tajikistan. The other variants include Zoraya, Thoraya, Suraia, and Sooraya.
The unique-sounding feminine name Soraya has never made it to the US Top 1000. Despite this, the name is famous internationally, reaching as far as Brazil, Algeria, Mexico, Spain, and Japan.
The name Soraya has several namesakes in popular culture and other references.Sorayawas the name of a Persian weekly that was published between 1898 and 1900 in Cairo. Soraya is also the name of a lunar crater within Alphonsus, an ancient impact crater on the moon. Suraiya Nagar is the name of a village in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Sooraya is also a sunflower variety.
Sooraya Qadir, or Dust, is a character in Marvel’s X-Men comic book series. A song by the instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders has also been named Soraya.Soraya Montenegro, portrayed by Itatí Cantoral, is a character in the Mexican telenovela María la del Barrio.
How To Pronounce Soraya?
Famous People With The Name Soraya
- María Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría AntónSpanish former politician, served as Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister of the Presidency from 2011 to 2018
- Soraya Esfandiary-BakhtiariQueen of the Imperial State of Iran
- Thoraya Ahmed ObaidSaudi-Arabian politician and diplomat, served as executive director of the United Nations Population Fund
- SorayaColombian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, arranger, and record producer
Soraya On The Popularity Chart
The name grew in usage in the US and Europe owing to the Queen of the Imperial State of Iran, Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari. Here is a graphic representation depicting its growth over the years.
Popularity Over Time
The name reached its peak popularity in 2021, with 261 babies per million being named Soraya.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
2021年,苏拉达到前1000名per Social Security Administration data.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Soraya
Do you want to discover more names that sound like Soraya? Take a look at some options below.
Popular Sibling Names For Soraya
Other Popular Names Beginning With S
Names With Similar Meaning As Soraya
There are many other names that share the same meaning as Soraya. Check them out below.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
soraya
In Sign Language
soraya
In Braille Alphabet
soraya
In Morse Code
soraya
Name Numerology For Soraya
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Soraya?
The name Soraya means ‘rich,’ and ‘princess.’
2. What is the origin of the name Soraya?
Soraya has a Lebanese and Persian origin.
3. What are some middle names that go well with Soraya?
Soraya means ‘the Pleiades’ in Arabic, which is connected to the constellation Taurus. Hence, names that indicate the sky or heavens, such asMalani, Iris, Sky, orAurora, could be considered proper middle names for Soraya. As Soraya is a three-syllable name, you could choose a simple one-syllable name as a middle name. You could also use names meaning moon, such asLunaand海伦, as middle names for Soraya.
4. Are there any famous nicknames or diminutives associated with the name Soraya?
Though there are no known famous diminutives for Soraya, you could use nicknames like Sori, Sora,Raya, or Ray for your little one. The selection of nicknames depends on your cultural background and the parents’ relationship with their baby.
5. Is Soraya a traditional name or a modern invention?
Soraya is a Persian name that has been used as a traditional Persian and Arabic name. It has found a place in the English-speaking world because of the European socialite and Queen of Iran, Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary.
6. What are the personality traits associated with people named Soraya?
An individual named Soraya is strong and confident. They are ready to push themselves to reach new heights and also favor success and power. Moreover, they may have an acute business sense which places them on a pedestal. Lastly, they are efficient and expect the same from others too, which may make them seem egocentric and stubborn.
7. Is Soraya a common name in a particular country or culture?
Soraya is used in countries like Belgium, Brazil, England and Wales, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. Moreover, its variation Soraia is popular in Brazil and Portugal. Soraya or its variants may also be Turkish and Japanese names.
