Girl Name · Persian Origin
Soraya
Soraya means “Brilliant gem, Pleiades”. It is a girl's name of Persian origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Soraya — a girl name from the Persian tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Brilliant gem, Pleiades", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Sierra is on your shortlist, Soraya belongs in the same conversation.
Soraya meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Brilliant gem, Pleiades
Origin: Persian naming roots help connect Soraya to related Persian baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Soraya as S·O·R·A·Y·A, with 6 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Soraya is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Soraya variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Sorayaa, Sorayae, Sorayay, Soray.
- Nicknames: Sor and S.
- Middle names: Pair Soraya with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Soraya middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Sierra, Sarahi, Sharae, Sarai, Sariyah — full picks on the sibling names for Soraya guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Soraya? Browse our names like Soraya guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Soraya
What does the name Soraya mean?
Soraya means "Brilliant gem, Pleiades" and is of Persian origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Soraya is used as a girl name.
What is the origin of Soraya?
Soraya originates in Persian naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Soraya?
Soraya has 6 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Soraya a boy's or girl's name?
Soraya is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Soraya in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Soraya sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Soraya?
Names that share Soraya's sound and style include Sierra, Sarahi, Sharae, Sarai, Sariyah.
What middle names pair well with Soraya?
Good middle-name fits for Soraya pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Soraya is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Soraya is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Soraya?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Soraya share its rhythm without rhyming — Sierra, Sarahi, Sharae all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.