Thurayya

Thurayya is an Arabic feminine name that directly references the Pleiades, a prominent open star cluster in the constellation Taurus. The name is derived from the Arabic word thurayyā (ثريا), which literally means “the Pleiades.”

Etymology and Cultural Significance

The Pleiades have been a significant celestial marker across many cultures, and their name in Arabic carries a rich poetic and astronomical heritage. According to the Wikipedia article on “Pleiades in folklore and literature,” the cluster’s high visibility and its position along the ecliptic have given it importance in many ancient and modern cultures. In Bedouin and broader Arab tradition, the Pleiades were associated with various seasonal events and omens, which contributed to the name’s appeal as a symbol of brightness and beauty. The name Thurayya thus evokes the seven-star cluster, often imagined as a group of sisters or maidens in folklore.

Cultural and Regional Variants

Thurayya has multiple variants across languages and regions. In Arabic, it is sometimes written as Thuraya or Suraya (also Surayya). Through Spanish and Portuguese influence, the name appears as Soraya, a form that gained international popularity, particularly associated with Princess Soraya of Iran, the second wife of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In Turkish, the equivalent is Süreyya, and in Malay, it appears as Suraya. In Portuguese, the form is Soraia.

The Berber (Tuareg) nomadic peoples of the Sahara also gave the Pleiades a special place in their lore, calling them Cat iheḍ (“daughters of the night”), as noted in the folklore extract. While this naming is in a different language family, it underscores the widespread human fascination with the cluster across North Africa, reinforcing the name’s astronomical roots.

Notable Bearers

One of the most famous bearers of a variant of this name in the modern era is Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtari (1932–2001), the Queen of Iran (as second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi). Her name brought the Persian form Soraya into global awareness. In Arabic-speaking contexts, the name Thurayya has been used historically and continues to be favored among communities that appreciate its poetic and celestial associations.

• Meaning: The Pleiades (star cluster)
• Origin: Arabic
• Type: Feminine given name
• Usage Regions: Arabic-speaking countries (with variants in Turkish, Spanish, Portuguese, Malay, and other cultures with Islamic influence)