NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Surayya

A feminine Arabic name meaning "Pleiades" or "celestial".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Surayya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Surayya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3015, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 8 births.

This profile covers 43 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2004 to 2024. 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.

Surayya is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 43 living people in the UK are called Surayya. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Surayya ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 8 girls were registered as Surayya.
  • About 43 living people in the UK are estimated to have Surayya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3015

2024

Births in 2024

8

Latest year

Peak year

2024

8 births

Estimated living

43

2026

Meaning

What does Surayya mean?

The name Surayya originates from Arabic and is derived from the word "surya," which means "sun" or "radiant." This name has its roots in ancient Arabic culture and is believed to have been in use since pre-Islamic times.

In Islamic tradition, Surayya is mentioned in the Quran as one of the stars in the constellation known as the Pleiades. This celestial reference has contributed to the name's association with beauty, radiance, and celestial bodies.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Surayya can be found in historical records and literature from the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. One of the most notable women to bear this name was Surayya al-Murriyya, a renowned Arab poetess who lived during the 7th century CE.

Throughout history, several influential figures have been named Surayya. One example is Surayya Tyabji (1892-1980), an Indian Muslim writer, and social reformer who played a significant role in the women's rights movement in British India.

Another notable figure is Surayya Khir (1913-1986), a Syrian poet and writer who was known for her contributions to Arabic literature and her advocacy for women's rights.

In the realm of music, Surayya Kazmi (1931-1996) was a celebrated Pakistani singer and actress who was widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists in the history of Pakistani cinema.

Surayya Sadaf (born 1962) is an Afghan writer and activist who has been recognized for her efforts in promoting education and women's rights in Afghanistan.

Surayya Qamar (born 1984) is a Pakistani actress and model who has gained widespread recognition for her performances in various television dramas and films.

It is important to note that while the name Surayya has been popular in various regions and cultures throughout history, its use and popularity may have varied over time and across different geographic locations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Surayya over time

The chart below shows babies named Surayya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Surayya, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Surayya
02468200420142024

Decades

Surayya by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Surayya 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 #3493 13 2
2010s #4836 17 4
2000s #4875 13 4

Related

Names similar to Surayya

FAQ

Surayya: questions and answers

How popular is the name Surayya in the UK right now?

In 2024, Surayya was ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.

When was Surayya most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 8 babies registered as Surayya in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Surayya?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "Pleiades" or "celestial".

How many people are called Surayya in the UK?

A total of 43 babies have been registered as Surayya across the 10 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.