Is Soraya an Arabic name? What does it mean? Read on to find out more, including the meaning of the name Soraya, its origin, pronunciation and if relevant, popularity.
What does Soraya mean in Arabic?
Soraya means wealthy, affluent.
It originates from the Arabic root word ث-ر-ي (TH R Y). The root word ‘TH R Y’ is the same root word used in the name ‘Sarwat’.
Soraya was popularised in the West by Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari, the wife of the last monarch of Iran, who eventually settled in Paris and became a prominent socialite. The name Soraya happens to be where the name is most popular in Europe! She was incredibly influential and a movie was even made based on her life, named ‘Soraya a.k.a. Sad Princess’.
The name ثریا, pronounced the same, is also the name given to a cluster of stars called the Pleiades. This is actually the more commonly known definition of this name.
Soraya is a female name.
Popularity of the name Soraya
Soraya has ranked in the top 1000 names in the UK consistently since 2003, and consistently in the top 500 in France since 1958. It also managed to secure a place in the top 1000 in the US in 2021. It is also popular in Iran, Algeria and Chad.
How to write Soraya in Arabic:
Soraya is written as ثرية
How to pronounce Soraya:
Soraya is pronounced THurr-ray-yah.
Spelling variations of Soraya
Suraya, Soraya, Soraia, Suraia, Thuraya, Thoraya, Zoraya (Spanish form)