Soraya
Meaning of Soraya
The name Soraya is a beautiful and exotic choice for a baby girl, with roots in Persian culture. Pronounced as soh-RAY-uh (/soʊˈreɪə/), this name carries the meaning of "princess" or "jewel," evoking images of elegance and grace. Soraya has a rich history and is often associated with nobility and royalty, most notably through Princess Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary, the second wife of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. The name also has variations such as Soraia. In the United States, Soraya has seen fluctuating popularity over the years but maintains a unique charm that continues to capture parents' hearts. It ranked 1,144th in 2023 with 212 occurrences, reflecting its steady appeal among those seeking a name that is both distinctive and culturally significant.
Pronunciation
Persian
- Pronunced as soh-RAY-uh (/soʊˈreɪə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Soraya
| Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary was the Queen of Iran and the second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, known for her refusal to accept the Shah's suggestion of taking a second wife to produce an heir, and her subsequent life in Paris after their divorce. |
| Soraya Raquel Lamilla Cuevas was a Colombian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, arranger, and record producer. |
| Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson is an American journalist and the director of the National Public Radio (NPR) bureau in Berlin. |
| Soraya Moraes is a Brazilian gospel singer known for her powerful and soulful music. |
| Soraya de Visch Eijbergen is a successful Dutch badminton player with multiple national championship wins and international competition experience. |
| Soraya Jiménez Mendivil was a pioneering Mexican weightlifter who made history as the first female athlete from Mexico to win an Olympic gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. |
| Soraya Haddad is an accomplished Algerian judoka, winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and achieving African champion status five times. |
| Soraya Mouloudji is the current Algerian Minister of Culture and Arts, having been appointed to the position on 9 September 2022. |
| Frine Soraya Córdova Morán is a Mexican politician affiliated with the PRI and served as Deputy of the LXII Legislature of the Mexican Congress representing Puebla in 2013. |
