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Baby names

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Original poster

Soraya

45 replies

jinglymum · 05/05/2012 20:40

Thoughts? Baby girl due end of month and we haven't decided any names yet.

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MrsPlanB · 06/05/2012 10:19

Lovely name.

Original poster
jinglymum · 06/05/2012 09:50

I just had a quick google I think Suraya is the Arabic spelling of the name.

I should have said in my first post our son is called Benjamin, which is a known name in Iran but spelt Benyamin, but we didn't want him to have a life of having to respell his name.

I'm not too fussed how people pronounce it, sur or sor.

Was is contender for you dd chocolatecoffinplease?

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
simperingsally · 06/05/2012 08:54

i went to school with a Soraya too. its a lovely name.
i also knew a Suraya.
pronounced nearly the same.

fluffygal · 06/05/2012 08:50

I went to school with a girl called soruaya (think that's how she spelt it, definitely had a u in it but pronounced how you are saying soraya). Lovely name, never heard her teased for it, and fits well in keeping with his culture.

Cashncarry · 06/05/2012 08:26

There are some extremely ignorant people on this thread - sore ear/eye, sorcerer, "Soriasis" (not even correct spelling FFS)...

OP - it's a lovely name and quite easy to use/spell in an English context unless you come across idiots who need to pull their head out of their arse and join the multicultural society we live in

cairnterrier · 06/05/2012 08:22

The only Soraya I've come across was in 'The Parrot Tico Tango' and I never knew how to pronounce it until now - thank you!

I think that it's a lovely name OP but when I've been reading it to DS, I have been pronouncing it Sore-aya as I didn't know better. Would it bother you having to possibly explain the pronunciation over and over again?

chocolatecoffinplease · 06/05/2012 08:13

sodoff Eh? You've confused me.

The sound at the start can be Sor - or if you use the Suraya version, then Sur. No?

I don't hear psoriasis, sore eye/eye or anything else, unlike others on this thread. But dh vetoed because he did. Sad So maybe the slight change in pronunciation of the different versions might help?

NapaCab · 06/05/2012 06:57

Yes, a really lovely name and it works pretty well in English so no issues for pronunciation or bad connotations. As far as I know, it is the Persian variation of Sarah? Not sure if that's true but a good name anyway, especially if you have Iranian/ Persian connections through your husband.

SodoffBaldrick · 06/05/2012 06:41

It doesn't have 'sore' at the start; it has 'sor'. Fair enough if you prefer the other spelling, but there's no 'sore' there.

Lovely name. :)

MarieFromStMoritz · 06/05/2012 04:57

I have always loved this name. It reminds me of class and wealth and good quality things. I have no idea why.

Badgerina · 05/05/2012 22:27

Soriasis - sorry.

MessyTerrier · 05/05/2012 22:20

It has tragic connotations for me because of "The Stoning of Soraya M.". However, it is a truly beautiful name. Confused

Firawla · 05/05/2012 22:15

i like it. don't know of the shah divorcing story? so i don't think most people would know or think of that

Gunznroses · 05/05/2012 21:58

Oooh! Sounds a bit like the Sorcerer or Clairvoyant...Blush sorry, thats just how it sounds....S..O..R..A..Y..A..A..A..A!!!

boyfallingoutofthesky · 05/05/2012 21:48

It is a lovely name if you have the appropriate cultural background, as you do. I know one Soraya and can't say it has ever made me think of sore ears or tragic love stories! I think it may also be a character in the Kite Runner...?

Original poster
jinglymum · 05/05/2012 21:05

Thanks, my hub is Iranian so wanting a name sounding good in both language. He pronounces it sur-raya.

Yes very sad story thankfully most people won't think or know of it. :)

OP posts:
BillyBollyBandy · 05/05/2012 20:57

I always think of that poor woman who was forced to divorce the shah

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.bakhtiarifamily.com/photos/soraya/SorayaAndShah2.jpg&imgrefurl=www.bakhtiarifamily.com/soraya.php&h=262&w=350&sz=23&tbnid=uVjKBfJzglwCcM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&zoom=1&docid=RmaXCIfM1yKAgM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5oWlT52CD5O38gPL8eHQBA&ved=0CHIQ9QEwAQ&dur=1428" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">but I'm odd

but it is a very pretty name. And tbf I don't think anyone else would think "tragic love story" when you announced thename Grin

Catsmamma · 05/05/2012 20:54

i love it, very pretty, warm and generous sounding name.

BBQJuly · 05/05/2012 20:51

Sore ear.

Sorry!

chocolatecoffinplease · 05/05/2012 20:43

Love it. Love it. Prefer the alternative spellings though, as don't like the 'sore' start. Suraya...

Cross cultural, not popular and quite beautiful. All good in my book. Congrats.