Zoraya
A feminine Arabic name meaning "radiant" or "brilliant".
Name Census estimates that about 533 living Americans carry the first name Zoraya. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Zoraya today is around 20 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zoraya births was 2005 (22 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zoraya. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
533
~ 1 in 643,066 Americans
Peak year
2005
22 babies that year
Average age
20
years old
2024 SSA rank
#6,141
Tracked since 1970
Popularity
Zoraya: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Zoraya from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 170 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Zoraya remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zoraya by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Zoraya during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Zorayas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. California, Texas, New York recorded the most babies named Zoraya, while Florida, New York, Texas recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 22 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Zoraya
The name Zoraya originates from the Arabic language, with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages and the Islamic Golden Age. Its earliest form is believed to be "Zahra," derived from the Arabic word "zahrah," meaning "flower" or "blossom." The name carries connotations of beauty, radiance, and purity.
In the 9th century, the name gained prominence through Princess Zahra, the daughter of the renowned Abbasid caliph Al-Mu'tazz. Her beauty and intelligence were celebrated, and she became a symbol of feminine grace and intellectual prowess during that era. The name Zoraya is thought to be a variation that emerged as the name spread to different regions and languages.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Zoraya can be found in the 12th-century literary work "The Ring of the Dove" by the Andalusian poet and philosopher Ibn Hazm. In this work, he described a woman named Zoraya, whose beauty and charm were admired by many.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Zoraya. One of the most famous was Zoraya Aguirre (1920-2001), a Spanish-Mexican actress and dancer who achieved stardom in the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. Her performances in films such as "Enamorada" and "La Otra" captivated audiences and solidified her status as a cultural icon.
Another notable Zoraya was Zoraya Ponce (1890-1975), a Cuban writer and activist who played a significant role in the struggle for women's rights and social justice in her country. Her works, including "Cuando las Mujeres Hablaron" (When Women Spoke), shed light on the challenges faced by women and advocated for gender equality.
In the realm of music, Zoraya Quintero (born 1971) is a renowned Mexican singer and songwriter. Her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics have garnered her critical acclaim and a dedicated following. Her album "Naci Gitana" (Born Gypsy) celebrates her Romani heritage and has become a cultural touchstone.
Zoraya Drissi (born 1954) is a Moroccan writer and academic who has made significant contributions to the study of Arabic literature and culture. Her works, including "Femmes Marocaines" (Moroccan Women), explore the complexities of gender, identity, and social dynamics in her native country.
Throughout the ages, the name Zoraya has carried a rich tapestry of cultural significance, beauty, and resilience. From its roots in the Arabic language to its enduring presence across various artistic and intellectual spheres, this name has left an indelible mark on the annals of history.
People
Zoraya + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zoraya as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Z
Other first names starting with Z with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Zoraya: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zoraya?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 533 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zoraya going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 643,066 US residents.
Is Zoraya a common name?
We classify Zoraya as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 546 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zoraya most popular?
The single biggest year for Zoraya was 2005, when 22 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zoraya is about 20 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Zoraya a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zoraya in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.