Soha

Origin & Etymology

Soha (also spelled Suha) is an Arabic name meaning a dim, barely visible star in the constellation Ursa Major. In Arab astronomical tradition, the star Alcor (known as Suha in Arabic) was used as an ancient vision test — if you could see it with the naked eye next to the bright star Mizar, your eyesight was considered excellent. The name carries poetic meaning: something precious that only the discerning can perceive.

Popularity Story

Soha is popular across the Arab world and among Muslim communities in South Asia. It was notably used by Palestinian activists and is the name of Soha Bechara, a Lebanese resistance fighter, giving it a politically charged history in some contexts.

Cultural Significance

In Arab culture, giving a child a name meaning a star — especially a subtle, hard-to-see star — carries philosophical meaning: some precious things are not immediately obvious and must be sought out. This name celebrates the idea of hidden brilliance.

Fun Facts

• Soha (Suha/Alcor) is part of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) and was historically used to test soldiers eyesight in Arab armies
• The phrase he does not see Suha was an Arabic expression meaning someone is very unobservant, because Suha is considered easy to see for those with good eyesight

Soha in Other Languages