Rising since 1985, #862 for girls today.
Popularity of Soraya since 1955
Babies named Soraya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 61 |
| 1960s | 326 |
| 1970s | 313 |
| 1980s | 422 |
| 1990s | 629 |
| 2000s | 1,580 |
| 2010s | 1,963 |
| 2020s | 1,517 |
Meaning & origin
Soraya entered U.S. records in 1955 and has seen a steady climb in usage, with a notable rise since 1985. Its current rank of 862 (1 in 5,135 births) marks its peak popularity in 2025, reflecting growing interest in Persian and international names. The name is especially popular in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Michigan, states with diverse cultural influences. Soraya's lyrical sound and celestial meaning give it a broad appeal beyond its Persian roots.
Soraya is a Persian name derived from the word 'soraya' (ثریا), meaning 'the Pleiades' constellation. It entered European usage via the Arabic form Thurayya, and gained prominence in the West after being borne by Soraya Esfandiary, second wife of the last Shah of Iran. The name has been used in Spain and Latin America as well, sometimes considered a variant of the Spanish name Zoraida.
Where Soraya is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Soraya” around the world
Where Soraya lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
115
babies in 2024
Quebec
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sora, Yaya, Raya
Sibling names for Soraya
Names that share Soraya's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Leila, Nadia, Yasmin, Samira, Layla, Aneesa, Anyssa, Leilah, Nadiya, Raisa, Safiya, Shereen, Shireen, Zarina, Kimia, Samyah, Shalimar, Tahiry, Tomara, Zohra, Zuleika, Aliha, Ameira, Jazari, Maleea, Marjan, Naria, Omaria, Sabeen, Sahira, Sharmin, Yasamin, Zairah, Zamira, Zareen, Shiraz, Anadalay, Arijana, Heran, Ismahan, Jamala, Jamelah, Kataya, Leili, Mirajane, Narmeen, Rafia, Sarrinah, Yasaman, Zaharah, Zanobia, Zariana, Zarinah, Zuleica
Brothers: Darius, Ramin, Cyrus, Kian, Omar, Arash, Arshan, Bijan, Javid, Kaveh, Kawan, Kazi, Mirza, Nahmir, Naveed, Radames, Shadi, Azar, Jamol, Naszir, Sahmir, Salar, Shahzad, Azaad, Azarian, Davari, Kayhan, Milik
