Soroya first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Soroya has been for the last 1 years (from 1990 to 1990) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Soroya

A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "princess" or "sovereign woman".

Popularity of Soroya by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Soroya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1990, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Soroya.

Year Male Count Female Count
1990 0 5

The history of the first name Soroya

The name Soroya has its origins in the ancient Persian language, tracing back to the 6th century BC. It is derived from the Persian word "sor," meaning "red," and "roya," meaning "dream." The combination of these words suggests the name Soroya translates to "red dream" or "dream of red."

During the reign of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the name Soroya was often associated with royalty and nobility. It was a popular name among the upper class and those with close ties to the ruling dynasties. Several ancient Persian texts and inscriptions mention individuals bearing this name, although their exact identities remain obscure.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Soroya can be found in the Behistun Inscription, a multi-lingual inscription carved on the sacred rock face in modern-day Kermanshah Province, Iran. This inscription, commissioned by King Darius I in the 5th century BC, mentions a woman named Soroya who was part of the royal court.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Soroya. One of the most prominent was Soroya al-Qazwini, a 12th-century Persian poet and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of literature and philosophy. She was born in Qazvin, Persia (present-day Iran) in 1135 and passed away in 1201.

Another notable figure was Soroya Banu, a 16th-century Persian princess and the daughter of Shah Tahmasp I, the second ruler of the Safavid dynasty. She was known for her exceptional beauty and intelligence, and her legacy has been immortalized in various Persian literary works.

In the 18th century, Soroya Khanom was a renowned Persian calligrapher and artist who gained recognition for her intricate and elegant calligraphic works. She was born in Isfahan, Persia (present-day Iran) in 1720 and died in 1795.

Moving to more modern times, Soroya Nour was a 20th-century Iranian activist and advocate for women's rights. She played a pivotal role in the Iranian women's movement and fought tirelessly for gender equality and social reform. Soroya Nour was born in Tehran, Iran in 1923 and passed away in 2008.

Lastly, Soroya Chemaly is a contemporary American writer, feminist, and activist of Iranian descent. She is known for her work on gender issues, media criticism, and social justice. Soroya Chemaly was born in 1975 and continues to be an influential voice in various social and political movements.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Soroya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Soroya, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Soroya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 5, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/soroya-meaning-and-history/.

"Soroya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/soroya-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 5 August, 2025

Soroya first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/soroya-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.