"the Pleiades star cluster"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
Soraya
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A Persian gem meaning 'the Pleiades'
Persian
Iranian
Arabic
Turkish
Exotic
Elegant
Royal
Sophisticated
Vintage
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Meaning & Origin
"princess, noblewoman"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Soraya
Soraya comes from the Persian word for 'the Pleiades,' the famous star cluster in the constellation Taurus. In Persian poetry and culture, the Pleiades have long symbolized beauty and royalty, so the name carries celestial elegance. It became widely known in the West through Soraya Esfandiary, the second wife of Iran's Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, whose tragic story—she was divorced for not producing an heir—captivated the world in the 1950s and 60s.
Soraya gained international visibility through the Iranian royal family in the mid-20th century. It remains popular in Persian, Arabic, and Spanish-speaking countries, often spelled Thuraya in Arabic contexts.
In Persian culture, Soraya evokes both the night sky and royalty, a combination that gives the name a lyrical, dreamy quality. The Pleiades appear throughout Persian literature, including in Rumi's poetry.
Historical Record
Soraya first appeared in US Social Security records in 1955.
Over 6,496 babies have been named Soraya in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Soraya is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #912 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Pleiades star cluster is mentioned in ancient Sumerian, Greek, and Persian texts as a symbol of divine beauty
- Soraya is a top-50 name in several Spanish-speaking countries
- The name appears in One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights)
Soraya in Other Languages
Arabic
ثريا (Thuraya)
French
Soraya
Spanish
Soraya
Turkish
Süreyya
Portuguese
Soraia
Popularity Over Time
#912
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Soraya
S
Soraya Arnelas
Musician
1985
Spanish singer who represented Spain at Eurovision 2009
S
Soraya Esfandiary
Royalty
1932
Second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran, known for her beauty and tragic exile after failing to produce an hei...
Second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran, known for her beauty and tragic exile after failing to produce an heir
S
Soraya Montenegro Fictional
Other
Iconic villain from the Mexican telenovela 'María la del Barrio,' a culturally beloved character in Latin America
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #912
- Total SSA Count
- 290
- Cultural Origins
- Persian Iranian Arabic Turkish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Sora
Raya
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Arabic heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Soraya
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Compare Soraya with...
Same Origin Names (Persian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Soraya
What does the name Soraya mean?
"the Pleiades star cluster" (from Persian). "princess, noblewoman" (from Arabic). Soraya comes from the Persian word for 'the Pleiades,' the famous star cluster in the constellation Taurus. In Persian poetry and culture, the Pleiades have long symbolized beauty and royalty, so the name carries celestial elegance. It became widely known in the West through Soraya Esfandiary, the second wife of Iran's Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, whose tragic story—she was divorced for not producing an heir—captivated the world in the 1950s and 60s.
What is the origin of the name Soraya?
Soraya has Persian, Arabic, Iranian, and Turkish origins. In Persian, it means "the Pleiades star cluster". In Arabic, it means "princess, noblewoman".
Is Soraya a boy or girl name?
Soraya is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Soraya?
Soraya is currently ranked #912 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Soraya?
Common nicknames for Soraya include Sora and Raya.
What are good middle names for Soraya?
Popular middle name pairings include Soraya Marie, Soraya Rose, Soraya Jade, Soraya Lynn, Soraya Claire, Soraya Belle, and Soraya Noelle.
What are good sibling names for Soraya?
Names that pair well with Soraya as siblings include Cyrus, Darius, Leila, Shirin, Kian, Yasmin, and Arash.
How many syllables does Soraya have?
Soraya has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Soraya a common or rare name?
Soraya is moderately common, ranked #912 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Soraya?
Are there other spellings for Soraya?
Related spellings include Sora.
About the Name Soraya
Soraya is a girl name with Persian, Iranian, Arabic, and Turkish origins . The name means "the Pleiades star cluster" in Persian .
Soraya is currently ranked #912 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Soraya has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Soraya include Sora and Raya. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Soraya include Sora . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis