Soraya is a distinctive choice, ranked #696 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Soraya in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#696
US Rank #913
About the Name Soraya
Soraya is gradually declining in popularity, having dropped 53 places over five years. Its high point was #570 in 2019, and it now sits at #696. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Soraya is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #913 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Soraya
Unlikely. With around 54 UK babies named Soraya per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Soraya in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Soraya has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 53 places in the last five years. Its peak was #570 in 2019. Choosing it now means she is likely to be among the last of her generation with this name.
Soraya is more popular in the UK (#696) than in the US (#913). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Soraya include: Andi Soraya — Syarifah Andi Soraya Assegaf is an Indonesian actress.; Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría — María Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría Antón is a Spanish former politician of the People's Party who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister of the...; Soraya Boudia — Soraya Boudia is a French professor..
Soraya ranks #913 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
54
UK babies named Soraya (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↓ 53 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Soraya
Likely around 1 other Soraya in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2021–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Soraya
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
María Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría Antón is a Spanish former politician of the People's Party who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister of the Presidency from 2011 to 2018. She was member of the Congress of Deputies representing Madrid from 2004 until 2018.
Soraya Boudia is a French professor. She researches sociology and the history of science, technology and the environment at the Paris Cité University and in the Cermes3 laboratory.
Tunku Soraya binti Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (Jawi: تونكو ثريا بنت المرحوم سلطان عبدالحليم معظم شاه; born Tunku Soraya binti Tengku Abdul Aziz; born 30 April 1960) is the Raja Puan Muda (Deputy Crown Princess) of Perak as the wife of Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain, the Raja Di-Hilir (Deputy Crown Prince) of Perak. She and her twin sister Tunku Sarina were adopted by their maternal uncle Sultan Abdul Halim and his consort Sultanah Bahiyah of Kedah as their daughters on 3 May 1960.
Soraya Marisel Martínez Ferrada is a Canadian politician who has served as the mayor of Montreal and leader of Ensemble Montréal since 2025. A member of the Liberal Party, she previously served as the member of Parliament for Hochelaga from 2019 to 2025, and as a federal Cabinet minister from 2023 to 2025.
Soraya Vieira Telles-Teixeira is a former middle distance runner from Brazil, who represented her native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. She notably won a bronze medal in 800 metres at the 1987 Pan American Games, behind Ana Fidelia Quirot and Delisa Floyd.
Soraya Munyana Hakuziyaremye is a Rwandan banker and financial management professional who is serving as the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda. She previously served as the Cabinet Minister of Trade and Industry in the Rwandan cabinet and as Vice-President in charge of Financial Markets/Financial Institutions Risk at ING Bank in London.
Soraya Tarzi (Pashto/Dari: ثريا طرزی) was Queen of Afghanistan as the wife of King Amanullah Khan. As Queen, she became one of the most influential women in the world at the time.
Soraya Vieira Thronicke is a Brazilian politician and lawyer. She has spent her political career representing Mato Grosso do Sul, having served as senator for that State since 2019.