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Soraya

Soraya

Updated: by Sarah Nance

Soraya
© Prostock-studio/Shutterstock.com
Soraya

Soraya

We'll add this name to the list of beautiful, elegant names. While not very common, the name Soraya is a loving baby name for girls. The name Soraya saw immense popularity in Europe thanks to a late socialite. Keep reading if you want to learn more about the name.

Meaning and Origin of the name Soraya:

The name Soraya has Persian origins along with Arabic roots, and it means "jewel." This is because the name Soraya is the Persian form of the name “Thurayya,” which is the Arabic name for the Pleiades star cluster. Despite its origins, Soraya saw much of its popularity in Europe thanks to Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari, who was the second wife to the last Shah of Iran.

Symbolism of the name Soraya:

Soraya is a baby name that can represent something precious and unique. Furthermore, Soraya can symbolize just how treasured, important, and irreplaceable this baby is.

Nicknames for the name Soraya:

  • Raya
  • Ray
  • Sora
  • Aya
  • YaYa
  • Ra
  • Ya
  • Soray
  • Ora
  • Saya

Style of the name Soraya:

Classic.

Gender of the name Soraya:

Soraya is a baby name generally used for girls.

Pronunciation of the name Soraya:

so-ray-YAW or so-RA-ya

Number of syllables in the name Soraya:

Three.

Emotion evoked from the name Soraya:

The baby name Soraya is sweet and powerful, giving off an approachable appearance.

Alternative spellings for the name Soraya:

  • Surayya
  • Surayyah

Popularity of the name Soraya:

According to data from the Social Security Administration, the baby name Soraya has never made it into the top 1000 list of popular names.

  • Zora
  • Syria
  • Saria
  • Sera
  • Sana
  • Sophia
  • Siria
  • Freya

Great middle names for Soraya and their meanings:

  • Esme (beloved)
  • Kailani (sea and sky)
  • Nia (resolve; brilliance)
  • Isa (strong-willed)
  • Suri (princess)
  • Yasmin (jasmine flower)
  • Paloma (dove)
  • Kamilah (young ceremonial attendant; perfect)

Famous people with the name Soraya:

  • Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari (European socialite and second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran)
  • Soraya (Colombian-American singer and songwriter)
  • Soraya Arnelas (Spanish singer)
  • Soraya Saga (penname for Japanese illustrator video game story writer Kaori Tanaka)
  • Soraya Moraes (Brazilian singer)
  • Soraya Jiménez (Mexican weightlifter)
  • Soraya Ray L. Bañas (real name of Kitkat, a Filipina singer, actress, comedienne)

Sorayas in movies/pop culture:

  • Soraya Montenegro (the character in the Mexican telenovela “María la del Barrio”)
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