Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Soraya
GirlPersian, Arabic· “the Pleiades”
- Meaning
- the Pleiades
- Origin
- Persian, Arabic
- Pronunciation
- suh-RY-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #868
- US babies 2025
- 313
- Best rank
- #868 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Soraya
Soraya is a Persian and Arabic name that means “the Pleiades”.
Soraya is the Persian name for the Pleiades, the bright star cluster in the constellation Taurus, from the Arabic thurayya. It is used in Iran and across the Muslim world, and Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary, queen of Iran as the wife of the last shah, made the name internationally known. Soraya has a graceful, three-syllable sound and a celestial meaning. It pairs well with many surnames, and Raya is a lovely nickname.
Popularity over time
Soraya first appears in US Social Security records in 1955. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 3 different years, starting in 2021. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #868, and its highest count, 313 babies. Use has grown 56% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #2,009 in 1980, #1,864 in 2000, #1,228 in 2010, and #868 in 2025. Of the 6,811 US girls named Soraya since records began, 29% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 1,580 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Eleanora, Arisbeth, Lilia, Dafne, and Ayah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Soraya ranked highest in New Mexico, Michigan, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #383 | 5 |
| Michigan | #635 | 13 |
| New York | #676 | 25 |
| Massachusetts | #677 | 8 |
| Oklahoma | #688 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Soraya is usually pronounced suh-RY-uh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Soraya
A few middle names that flow with Soraya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Soraya
Similar names
Arya Girl
AHR-yuh
“noble” · Sanskrit
#158
Aliya Girl
uh-LEE-yuh
“exalted; ascent” · Arabic
#823
Raya Girl
RY-uh
“friend; several independent sources” · Hebrew
#369
Inaya Girl
ih-NY-uh
“care, concern” · Arabic
#776
Laila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#413
Leila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#259
Yasmin Girl
YAZ-mihn
“jasmine flower” · Persian
#959
Zahra Girl
ZAH-ruh
“flower; radiant” · Arabic
#540
Safiya Girl
sah-FEE-yuh
“pure; sincere friend” · Arabic
#1,333
Alya Girl
AHL-yuh
“exalted, sublime” · Arabic
#1,334
Inaaya Girl
ih-NAH-yuh
“care, concern” · Arabic
#3,420
Sariya Girl
sah-REE-yuh
“modern name, meaning uncertain” · Arabic
#2,508
Lists that include Soraya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Soraya mean?
Soraya is a Persian and Arabic name that means “the Pleiades”.
What is the origin of the name Soraya?
Soraya has Persian and Arabic roots. Soraya is the Persian name for the Pleiades, the bright star cluster in the constellation Taurus, from the Arabic thurayya.
Is Soraya a popular name?
Yes. Soraya ranked #868 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Soraya a boy or girl name?
Soraya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Soraya?
Soraya is usually pronounced suh-RY-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