UK girl's name
Soraia
A feminine name of Spanish origin meaning "golden" or "sunrise".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Soraia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Soraia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 8 births.
This profile covers 74 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 2005 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 74 living people in the UK are called Soraia. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Soraia ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 8 girls were registered as Soraia.
- • About 74 living people in the UK are estimated to have Soraia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2010
8 births
Estimated living
74
2026
Meaning
What does Soraia mean?
The name Soraia is a Portuguese feminine name with Arabic origins. It dates back to the 8th century when the Moors occupied the Iberian Peninsula. The name is derived from the Arabic word "sur'aiya," which means "bright" or "shining." It is believed to have been inspired by the celestial bodies, particularly the sun and stars.
During the Moorish rule in Portugal, the name Soraia gained popularity among the Muslim population. It was later adopted by the Portuguese Christians as well. The name's association with light and brightness made it a desirable choice for parents seeking a name that symbolized hope and positivity.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Soraia can be found in the medieval Portuguese chronicles, where it is mentioned as the name of a Moorish princess who lived in the 12th century. The chronicles describe her as a woman of great beauty and intelligence, known for her diplomatic skills and her role in negotiating peace treaties.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Soraia. One of the most famous was Soraia Banu Begum (1552-1572), a Mughal princess and the daughter of Emperor Akbar. She was renowned for her literary talents and her patronage of the arts.
Another prominent figure was Soraia Pinto (1699-1769), a Portuguese painter and one of the first female artists to gain recognition in her country. Her works, which included religious paintings and portraits, were highly acclaimed during her lifetime.
In the 20th century, Soraia Braga (1917-2003) was a Brazilian actress and singer who achieved success in both theater and film. She was known for her versatility and her ability to portray a wide range of characters.
Soraia Chaves (1946-2020) was a renowned Portuguese fado singer and actress. She was celebrated for her powerful voice and her ability to convey the emotions and traditions of fado, Portugal's traditional music genre.
Soraia Cavaradossi (1951-2018) was an Italian soprano who had an illustrious career in opera houses around the world. She was particularly acclaimed for her interpretations of the works of Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Soraia over time
The chart below shows babies named Soraia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Soraia, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Soraia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Soraia was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5106 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3904 | 41 | 7 |
| 2000s | #3581 | 22 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Soraia
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Soraia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Soraia in the UK right now?
In 2023, Soraia was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Soraia most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 8 babies registered as Soraia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Soraia?
A feminine name of Spanish origin meaning "golden" or "sunrise".
How many people are called Soraia in the UK?
A total of 74 babies have been registered as Soraia across the 14 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.