Soraya is a Persian name that originated in Iran. It is derived from the Persian word "sorayah" which means "princess" or "woman of high rank". The name was commonly used among the nobility and royalty of ancient Persia.

The earliest recorded use of the name Soraya dates back to the 6th century AD, during the Sassanid Empire in Persia. It was a popular name among the aristocratic families of that era, and was often given to daughters born into the royal lineage.

In Islamic literature, Soraya is mentioned in the Quran as one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad. This association with the Islamic tradition further solidified the name's significance in the Persian culture.

One of the most notable historical figures with the name Soraya was Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari, the second wife of the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. She was born in 1932 and was a member of the prestigious Bakhtiari tribe. Her marriage to the Shah in 1951 made her the Queen of Iran until their divorce in 1958.

Another famous Soraya was Soraya Tarzi, an Afghan writer, and feminist activist who lived from 1897 to 1968. She played a significant role in promoting women's rights and education in Afghanistan during the early 20th century.

In the realm of music, Soraya Arnelas is a Spanish singer and songwriter born in 1982. She rose to fame as a member of the popular Spanish girl group Tres POR4 and later pursued a successful solo career.

Soraya Jiménez is a Mexican weightlifter who won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She was born in 1985 and is considered one of the most accomplished weightlifters in Mexico's history.

Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson is an American journalist and foreign correspondent born in 1967. She has reported extensively on the Middle East and has covered major events such as the Iraq War and the Arab Spring.