From Arabic, often linked to a faint star or hidden light, giving it a gentle celestial feel.
Soha draws its soul from the night sky. In Arabic and Persian tradition, the name refers to the star Alcor, a faint companion star in the handle of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major). In classical Arabic astronomy, this star was used as a test of eyesight — spotting it in the night sky was considered a measure of keen vision.
The expression "he shows someone Soha while pointing at the moon" became an Arabic proverb meaning to distract someone from what truly matters, giving the name a playful philosophical undertone it has carried for centuries. Beyond astronomy, Soha carries the broader Arabic sense of radiance and quiet brilliance — the kind of light that requires attention and discernment to appreciate. It has been a cherished name across the Arab world, in Iran and Afghanistan as well as among Urdu-speaking communities in South Asia, where its soft two-syllable sound feels both delicate and strong.
Notable modern bearers include Palestinian politician Soha Arafat, whose high-profile life brought the name international recognition in the 1990s. Soha has a rare quality among names: it rewards the curious. On its surface it sounds simple and melodic, but behind it lies star charts, proverbs, and a centuries-old conversation about seeing clearly. It is a name for a child whose depth will reveal itself gradually, like a dim star that rewards those patient enough to look.
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