Soraya is a beautiful and unique name of Persian origin. It is derived from the Persian word "sar," which means "head" or "leader." Thus, Soraya translates to "princess" or "royal head."
The name gained popularity due to its use in several Middle Eastern royal families. One notable figure was Princess Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari, who married the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in 1951. Despite their eventual divorce, she remained a popular figure and contributed to the spread of her name's usage.
In literature, Soraya appears as a character in the novel "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. However, it is important to note that this novel does not significantly impact the overall popularity or perception of the name Soraya.
Overall, Soraya is an elegant and distinctive name with a rich historical background, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a unique yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Soraya has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past few decades, with a total of 6,205 births recorded in the United States since 1955. The first decade saw relatively low numbers, with fewer than 40 births each year until 1971 when there were 49 births.
The name's popularity began to rise significantly in the 1980s, with over 30 births recorded every year from 1980 onwards. The highest number of births recorded in a single year during this period was 56 in 1992 and 1993.
However, it wasn't until the turn of the century that Soraya truly started to gain traction as a popular name. Between 2000 and 2023, there were over 4,000 births recorded, with peak years being 2006 (237 births) and 2021 (262 births). This recent surge in popularity can be attributed to various factors such as changing trends, cultural influences, or simply because people find the name appealing.
In conclusion, while Soraya may not have been a common name in the mid-20th century, it has since gained significant traction and is now one of the more popular names for newborns in the United States.