Züleyha

Züleyha is a female first name of Turkish origin, representing a form of the Arabic name Suleika and can be traced back to Zulaykha. The exact meaning of the name is unclear, but it is often suspected to mean 'the seductress.'

What does the name Züleyha mean?

Züleyha is a Turkish variant of the Arabic name Suleika, which is based on Zulaykha. The meaning is not definitively clarified, but it is assumed to imply 'the seductress.' The name may originate from the Arabic term zulayḵā (زُلَيْخَا), which also means 'the seductress.' The name became known through Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's work 'West-östlicher Divan,' in which he adopted the name Suleika from the Persian poem 'Yussuf und Suleika' by Abu l-Qasem-e Firdausi. In this narrative, Suleika, who is appreciated for her beauty, is portrayed as Potiphar's wife who seduces Yussuf. Other variants of the name include Zulekha, Züleyxa, Zuleika, Zuleja, and Soleika.

Where does the name Züleyha come from?

The name Züleyha has Arabic roots and means 'the seductress.' The Arabic origin can be traced back to the word zulayḵā (زُلَيْخَا). The name is common in both Old Turkish and modern Turkish.

How do you pronounce Züleyha?

The pronunciation of Züleyha is three syllables and has a distinctive sound. In German, it is typically pronounced as 'Zü-ley-ha' [ˈzyːleɪ̯ha]. The name begins with a rounded Ü sound, giving it a special touch. The diphthong in the middle syllable creates a flowing melody. The soft 'h' before the open final 'a' leads to a gentle conclusion. This makes Züleyha feminine and expressive – melodic, elegant, and present.

When is the name day of Züleyha?

The name day for Züleyha is celebrated on April 21.

Popularity

Züleyha is among the popular first names in Germany. Currently, it ranks 685th on the list of the most common female baby names. The name achieved its best ranking in 2019 at 580th place. Over the last ten years, Züleyha has been given as a first name approximately 520 times, securing it the 833rd place in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 950th.

Nicknames & pet names

Ela / Leyha / Züli / Zülo / Zülü / Zülüs / Züzü

Famous people

• Züleyha (song by Mudi)