Türkiye Soyadları A sourced dictionary of Turkish surnames

SURNAMEEntry 4,084

Şoray

Şoray /ʃoˈɾaj/ ASCII Soray

“face, countenance (Circassian name)”1

Letters / syllables
5 / 2
Formation
Plain noun
Vowel harmony
back
Initial
Ş
Contents§1–§9
  1. §1Pronunciation
  2. §2Meaning
  3. §3Root tree
  4. §4Formation & 1934
  5. §5As a first name
  6. §6Abroad
  7. §7Sources
  8. §8Questions
  9. §9Related

How do you pronounce Şoray?

Şoray

IPA /ʃoˈɾaj/

The stress usually falls on syllable 2 (marked). In everyday Turkish, stress in surnames varies by speaker and region.

What does the surname Şoray mean?

English Wiktionary, citing Nişanyan Adlar, traces Şoray to the Kabardian Circassian surname Шорэй, which is linked to Mongolian царай “face, countenance”. In Turkish it is used as a given name for both sexes.1

That Şoray goes back to Шорэй is probable rather than proven: the dictionary entry cited supports it.

What is Şoray made of?

Şoray is a single root: şoray (Şoray: Kabardian (Circassian) surname).

Şoray root şoray Şoray: Kabardian(Circassian) surname OTHER Шорэй “Kabardian surname,linked to Mongolian…” Şoray şoray root Şoray: Kabardian (Circassian) surname Шорэй OTHER “Kabardian surname, linked toMongolian царай ‘face,…’”
Şoray: parts and root words
  • Шорэй Other — Kabardian surname, linked to Mongolian царай “face, countenance”1

How was the name Şoray formed?

Şoray is the word şoray (“Şoray: Kabardian (Circassian) surname”), taken unchanged as a surname.

Shared note · 1934Surnames became compulsory with Surname Law No. 2525 of 21 June 1934.3

Is Şoray also a first name?

Yes. Şoray is given as a first name too, carrying the same sense: “face, countenance (Circassian name)”.

Şoray as a first name: meaning and statistics — turkiyenames.com →

How is Şoray written and pronounced abroad?

In foreign records the name often appears as Soray: ş is written s or sh.

Where do these facts come from?

  1. 1 Wikimedia Wiktionary: Şoray accessed 9 November 2026
  2. 2 Wikimedia Vikisözlük: Şoray accessed 9 November 2026
  3. 3 T.C. Resmî Gazete / Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi (mevzuat.gov.tr) Soyadı Kanunu (Kanun No. 2525) accessed 8 November 2026
  4. 4 turkiyenames.com Türkiye İsimleri (turkiyenames.com) accessed 9 November 2026

Common questions about Şoray

Q1

What does the surname Şoray mean?

English Wiktionary, citing Nişanyan Adlar, traces Şoray to the Kabardian Circassian surname Шорэй, which is linked to Mongolian царай “face, countenance”. In Turkish it is used as a given name for both sexes.
Q2

What is the origin of the surname Şoray?

The root word of Şoray is Шорэй (another language): ‘Kabardian surname, linked to Mongolian царай “face, countenance”’.
Q3

How do you pronounce Şoray?

Şo·ray, 2 syllables; IPA: /ʃoˈɾaj/.