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Suleika

♀ Girl

Pronounced soo-LAY-kah /suːˈleɪ.kə/Medium

Meaning: A European form of Zulaikha - the traditional Islamic and Persian name for Potiphar's wife in the story of Joseph (Yusuf), and the beloved of Goethe's West-Eastern Divan. Often glossed 'brilliant; beautiful.'Low

In 30 seconds: A literary, storied name: Suleika is the traditional name (Zulaikha) in the Joseph story, and Goethe's beloved (said 'soo-LAY-kah'). Romantic and rare.

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Origin LowPersian, Arabic

MeaningA European form of Zulaikha - the traditional Islamic and Persian name for Potiphar's wife in the story of Joseph (Yusuf), and the beloved of Goethe's West-Eastern Divan. Often glossed 'brilliant; beautiful.'

U.S. rank (2022)#10300 ↗ Rising

2022 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 147

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Suleika comes from Zulaikha, the Persian and Islamic name in the Joseph narrative and a figure in Goethe's poetry. It reads romantic and rare in the U.S. (said 'soo-LAY-kah').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely. Rare, literary, and romantic.

Did you know? Suleika is a European form of Zulaikha - the traditional name for Potiphar's wife in the Yusuf/Joseph story, and the beloved of Goethe's West-Eastern Divan - a name rich in story, which we note (said 'soo-LAY-kah').

Overall data confidence 36%

References - Suleika — Zulaikha (Joseph story) / Goethe; Persian

Variations

ZulaikhaSuleykaZuleika

Nicknames

SulaLeika

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Suleika…

Zulaikha— the traditional root name

Leyla— a like Persian/Arabic girl's name

Yasmin— a like classic Persian name

Roxana— a like storied Persian name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Suleika mean?

Suleika is a European form of Zulaikha, the traditional name for Potiphar's wife in the Joseph story; also in Goethe.

How do you pronounce Suleika?

It's said soo-LAY-kah /suːˈleɪ.kə/ - three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Suleika a boy or girl name?

Suleika is a girl's name.

How popular is Suleika?

Suleika is a rare name in the U.S.