Soheila

Soheila is a feminine Persian given name, derived from the masculine name Suhail, which itself comes from the Arabic root sahl, meaning "level, even, smooth." In Arabic astronomy, Suhail is the traditional name for the star Canopus, the second brightest star in the night sky, and also the official (IAU) name of the third brightest star in the constellation Vela. The name thus carries celestial connotations, symbolizing brightness and guidance.

Soheila is widely used in Iran, among Persian-speaking communities, and in neighboring regions. Its variants appear across multiple languages: Sohaila in Arabic, Suhaila in Malay, and Süheyla in Turkish, each adapting the name to local phonology while preserving its original meaning and stellar association.

Notable Bearers

Several contemporary figures bear the name Soheila, many of whom are activists, artists, and athletes from Iran and the Iranian diaspora:

• Soheila Esfahani, an Iranian-born Canadian artist and educator.
• Soheila Fors (born 1967), an Iranian-Swedish women's rights activist and writer.
• Soheila Hejab (born 1990), an Iranian lawyer, political activist, and civil rights activist.
• Soheila Jolodarzadeh (born 1959), an Iranian reformist politician.
• Soheila Mansourian (born 1988), an Iranian Wushu athlete.
• Soheila Sokhanvari (born 1964), an Iranian-born British multidisciplinary visual artist.
• Soheila Zaland, an Afghan pop singer.

• Meaning: Derived from Arabic Suhail (the star Canopus), meaning "level, smooth"
• Origin: Persian; ultimately Arabic
• Type: Feminine given name
• Usage Regions: Iran, Persian diaspora; also Arabic, Malay, Turkish variants