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Soraya

♀ Girl

Pronounced soh-RY-uh /soʊˈraɪ.ə/High

Meaning: From the Persian and Arabic Thurayya (the Pleiades star cluster), meaning 'the Pleiades' or 'rich' and 'beautiful'; associated with the star cluster that was a navigation guide and harbinger of spring in the ancient Middle EastHigh

In 30 seconds: Soraya is a luminous Persian and Arabic name meaning the Pleiades star cluster, associated with richness, beauty, and the ancient guiding stars. Used across the Persian, Turkish, and Arab world, it has the glow of celestial poetry.
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Origin HighPersian, Arabic
MeaningFrom the Persian and Arabic Thurayya (the Pleiades star cluster), meaning 'the Pleiades' or 'rich' and 'beautiful'; associated with the star cluster that was a navigation guide and harbinger of spring in the ancient Middle East
U.S. rank (2025)#868 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births313 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,809

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519552025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Soraya derives from the Persian and Arabic Thurayya, the classical name for the Pleiades (the Seven Sisters star cluster in the constellation Taurus). In Persian, Soraya is the poetic form of this name, associated with the celestial beauty of the stars and by extension with richness and loveliness. The Pleiades were important in Middle Eastern calendrical and navigational traditions.

Soraya is widely used across Iran, Turkey, Arab countries, and among Persian, Turkish, and Arab diaspora communities worldwide. The name gained Western visibility through Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari (1932–2001), the Iranian princess and second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who became an internationally famous figure after her divorce and subsequent life in Europe.

Did you know? The Pleiades star cluster — which gives Soraya its meaning — was one of the most important celestial navigation aids in the ancient world, marking the seasons, guiding sailors, and appearing in the myths of cultures from Greece to the Amazon.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Soraya — Persian and Arabic etymologyEncyclopaedia Iranica — Soraya — Pleiades meaning and usage

Variations

ThurayaSoraiaSuraya

Nicknames

SoriRaya

Famous Bearers

  • ★Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari (1932–2001)
    Iranian princess, second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, known for her glamour and subsequent life as an actress and socialite in Europe.

If you like Soraya…

Layla— same Persian/Arabic feminine name tradition with celestial beauty associations
Yasmin— shares the elegant Arabic feminine name quality and three-syllable musicality
Zara— fellow short, bright, cross-cultural Arabic/Persian name with international appeal
Nadia— same category of elegantly melodic cross-cultural feminine names with Eastern roots

Frequently Asked

What does the name Soraya mean?

Soraya means the Pleiades star cluster in Persian and Arabic, associated with richness, beauty, and celestial guidance.

How do you pronounce Soraya?

It is said soh-RY-uh, with three syllables.

Where is Soraya used?

Soraya is used in Iran, Turkey, Arab countries, and among Persian, Turkish, and Arab diaspora communities worldwide.

Is Soraya a popular name?

Soraya is popular in the Middle East and Persian-speaking world, and is used in diverse communities in the U.S.