Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Saraya
GirlPersian, Hebrew· “variant of Soraya or Sarai”
- Meaning
- variant of Soraya or Sarai
- Origin
- Persian, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- suh-RAY-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,830
- US babies 2025
- 110
- Best rank
- #1,830 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Saraya
Saraya is a Persian and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Soraya or Sarai”.
Saraya is a modern name with two possible sources. It may be a form of Soraya, a Persian name linked to the Pleiades star cluster, known in Arabic as al-Thurayya. It may equally be heard as an extended form of Sarai, the original name of Sarah in Genesis, which is usually glossed as "princess." Parents rarely have to choose, since the name sounds good in both readings. In English it is said suh-RAY-uh or suh-RY-uh. Related names include Soraya, Seraya and Sariyah. The flowing three-syllable sound places it near Samaya and Amaya, and Sara or Raya can serve as a short form.
Popularity over time
Saraya first appears in US Social Security records in 1974. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #1,830, and its highest count, 110 babies. Use has grown 75% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #4,507 in 2000, #2,895 in 2010, and #1,830 in 2025. Of the 1,752 US girls named Saraya since records began, 31% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 459 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Haya, Ryah, Jermani, Ahuva, and Hindy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Saraya ranked highest in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Indiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #806 | 12 |
| North Carolina | #1127 | 8 |
| Indiana | #1180 | 5 |
| New York | #1507 | 9 |
| Georgia | #1745 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Saraya is usually pronounced suh-RAY-uh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Saraya
A few middle names that flow with Saraya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Saraya
Similar names
Mariya Girl
mah-REE-yuh
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TAHL-yuh
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DAHN-yuh
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Vanya Girl
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Arya Girl
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Anya Girl
AHN-yuh
“grace; pet form of Anna” · Russian
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Aliya Girl
uh-LEE-yuh
“exalted; ascent” · Arabic
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Raya Girl
RY-uh
“friend; several independent sources” · Hebrew
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Soraya Girl
suh-RY-uh
“the Pleiades” · Persian
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Suri Girl
SOO-ree
“often said princess or red rose” · Hebrew
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Aniya Girl
uh-NY-uh
“modern name, possibly from Anya” · American (modern coinage)
#1,071
Lists that include Saraya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Saraya mean?
Saraya is a Persian and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Soraya or Sarai”.
What is the origin of the name Saraya?
Saraya has Persian and Hebrew roots. Saraya is a modern name with two possible sources.
Is Saraya a popular name?
Not especially. Saraya ranked #1,830 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Saraya a boy or girl name?
Saraya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Saraya?
Saraya is usually pronounced suh-RAY-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings