Soraya Girl
Origin(s)
Pronunciationsoh-RYE-uh / /səˈraɪə/Persian; Arabic
Meaning
Persian: princess; Arabic: bright, luminous
Historical & Cultural Background
Soraya is a name of Persian origin, often associated with royalty and nobility. In Persian culture, it has been used historically to denote a princess or a woman of high status. The name also appears in Arabic contexts, where it conveys meanings related to brightness and light. Soraya gained international recognition in the 20th century, particularly through the life of Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiary, the former Empress of Iran.
Trend Summary
Soraya has seen moderate popularity in the United States, particularly among families with Persian heritage.
Similar Names
Variants
- Soraiya
- Sarai
International Variants
- Soraya (Spanish)
- Soraiya (Persian)
Famous people named Soraya
Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiary was the second wife of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran.
Soraya Arnelas is a Spanish singer and television presenter known for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Fictional characters named Soraya
Soraya is a character in the novel 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini, representing themes of love and sacrifice.
Soraya is a character in the animated series 'The Lion Guard', known for her adventurous spirit.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Soraya was first seen in the United States in 1955. Soraya has ranked as high as #1070 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Georgia. In the past 5 years the name Soraya has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Soraya (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 37 | |
| TX | 30 | |
| FL | 28 | |
| NY | 22 | |
| NC | 15 | |
| PA | 12 | |
| CO | 8 | |
| VA | 8 | |
| NJ | 8 | |
| IL | 8 | |
| IN | 8 | |
| OH | 8 | |
| MN | 7 | |
| AZ | 6 | |
| TN | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1957 | 6 |
| 1958 | 28 |
| 1959 | 21 |
| 1960 | 23 |
| 1961 | 39 |
| 1962 | 31 |
| 1963 | 31 |
| 1964 | 39 |
| 1965 | 40 |
| 1966 | 33 |
| 1967 | 23 |
| 1968 | 35 |
| 1969 | 32 |
| 1970 | 36 |
| 1971 | 49 |
| 1972 | 29 |
| 1973 | 34 |
| 1974 | 19 |
| 1975 | 33 |
| 1976 | 29 |
| 1977 | 27 |
| 1978 | 26 |
| 1979 | 31 |
| 1980 | 53 |
| 1981 | 44 |
| 1982 | 40 |
| 1983 | 40 |
| 1984 | 29 |
| 1985 | 38 |
| 1986 | 43 |
| 1987 | 49 |
| 1988 | 34 |
| 1989 | 52 |
| 1990 | 54 |
| 1991 | 49 |
| 1992 | 56 |
| 1993 | 55 |
| 1994 | 56 |
| 1995 | 67 |
| 1996 | 76 |
| 1997 | 74 |
| 1998 | 75 |
| 1999 | 67 |
| 2000 | 92 |
| 2001 | 100 |
| 2002 | 104 |
| 2003 | 135 |
| 2004 | 144 |
| 2005 | 172 |
| 2006 | 236 |
| 2007 | 237 |
| 2008 | 190 |
| 2009 | 170 |
| 2010 | 197 |
| 2011 | 219 |
| 2012 | 198 |
| 2013 | 192 |
| 2014 | 180 |
| 2015 | 201 |
| 2016 | 197 |
| 2017 | 177 |
| 2018 | 187 |
| 2019 | 215 |
| 2020 | 196 |
| 2021 | 262 |
| 2022 | 242 |
| 2023 | 212 |
| 2024 | 290 |