زویا

Zoya

girlGreek via Russian; adopted in Urdu

Zoya is a Muslim girl name meaning “Life”.

MeaningLife
GenderGirl
OriginGreek via Russian; adopted in Urdu
Arabic spellingزویا
PronunciationZOY-ah
Muslim name?Used by Muslims

Meaning and origin of Zoya

Zoya comes from the Greek zōē, 'life', and entered wide use through Russian. It became very popular in Pakistan and India, where it is sometimes said to be Persian or Arabic, but there is no Arabic root behind it. Its meaning, 'life', is positive, and many Muslim families now treat it as a familiar Urdu name.

Is Zoya a Muslim name?

Zoya is not Arabic in origin, but it is widely used by Muslim families in Pakistan and India and its meaning, 'life', is fine for Muslims. Those who prefer an Arabic name with a similar meaning might consider Hayat or Ayesha.

Where is the name Zoya used?

Very popular among Muslims in Pakistan and India, and also common in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Gifts with the name Zoya

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Spellings and variants of Zoya

ZoyahZoiaZoja

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More girl names like Zoya

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Zoya mean?

Zoya means 'Life'. It comes from Greek via Russian; adopted in Urdu.

Is Zoya a Muslim name?

Zoya is not Arabic in origin, but it is widely used by Muslim families in Pakistan and India and its meaning, 'life', is fine for Muslims. Those who prefer an Arabic name with a similar meaning might consider Hayat or Ayesha.

How do you write Zoya in Arabic?

Zoya is written زویا in Arabic script.

How do you pronounce Zoya?

Zoya is pronounced ZOY-ah.

Updated October 2026 · Researched by the Modern Muslim Names team. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.