How do you pronounce Soraya/Suraya?

Girl Names
1

I am really considering the names [name]Soraya[/name] or [name]Suraya[/name] but I am not quite sure how they are properly pronounced. I have found contradicting information on the internet so far (through the ever reliable google).

I’ve heard that they are pronounced differently though. I just really want to have the nickname option [name]Suri[/name].

Are they pronounced:
Soor- ay- uh
Soor- eye- uh
Soor- ah-yuh

HELP please. [name]Even[/name] if you’re unsure, please tell me how you personally would pronounce this.

2

I pronounce this Sore-ah-yuh. I would pronounce [name]Suraya[/name] slightly differently ([name]Sue[/name]-rah-ya). For me, [name]Suraya[/name] would be the easiest way to get to [name]Suri[/name].

3

Is it almost like [name]Mariah[/name]? Or is it a little more of a softer ‘rah’ sound?

4

I went to school with a [name]Soraya[/name] and she pronounced it Suh-ray-ah. [name]Raya[/name] like [name]Freya[/name] but without the F, the So- more like a shorter Suh like ‘huh’ sound than a long Soor like floor.

5

Most commonly-- Sore- eye- uh.

[name]Lovely[/name] name with a distinguished history in Persian literature, and subtle astrological connection.

6

I say, and have only heard, “eye” ah. Like the same sound in [name]Maya[/name].

7

Like [name]Mariah[/name] but with a “s”.

8

To me [name]Soraya[/name] and [name]Suraya[/name] sound have distinctly different sounds.
So(like in [name]Sophie[/name])-ray-ah and [name]Sue[/name]-ray-ah.
I think [name]Suri[/name] would be a more natural nn for [name]Suraya[/name].

9

I once taught a student with this name. I said sor-EYE-uh, and she was quick to shout “It’s sur-[name]RAY[/name]-uh!!”

10

I know someone with Saraya as a surname. It was like of like sir EYE a

11

I know a [name]Soraya[/name] (and its one of my favorite name) - young daughter of two ivy-league-educated lawyers :slight_smile:
They pronounce it “Soar-I-ya” (“soar” like the word soar, long I sound…ya).

12

I know a [name]Soraya[/name] (and its one of my favorite name) - young daughter of two ivy-league-educated lawyers :slight_smile:
They pronounce it “Soar-eye-ya”

13

I love the name - and know a [name]Soraya[/name] - pronounced “Soar-eye-ya”.

14

[name]One[/name] of my stepsisters has a daughter named [name]Soraya[/name]/[name]Suraya[/name] (may be spelled differently, I’ve never seen it written out) and she pronounces it sore-EYE-uh.

15

I’ve known a few,all pronounced Sur-ray-ah.

None like any of the pronounciations you listed.