Soumaya

Meaning of Soumaya

Soumaya is a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning “pure” or “exalted,” derived from the three-letter root sīn-mīm-yāʼ. Pronounced /suːˈmaɪjə/, it has appeared intermittently in U.S. Social Security data since 1997, when five newborns received the name (rank 862). Its usage dipped in the early 2000s before peaking at nine occurrences in 2015 (rank 945) and then stabilizing around six to seven registrations annually in recent years, including seven in 2022 (rank 937). The name carries historical resonance through Sumayyah bint Khayyat, recognized as one of the first martyrs in Islamic history, and today conveys an air of understated distinction. It remains comfortably under the radar—an appealing prospect for parents who favor a name with global roots and a measure of uniqueness without courting obscurity. Its modest popularity also spares parents a future of endless “Could you spell that again?” exchanges.

Pronunciation

Arabic

• Pronunced as soo-MY-uh (/suː.ˈmaɪjə/)

• Sumaya
• Samaya
• Sumaiya
• Samiya
• Sumaira
• Samyra
• Samaia