Aaliyah Girl

Popularity: #98 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ah-LEE-yah /əˈliːjə/

Origin: Arabic; Hebrew

Meaning: Arabic: exalted, noble; Hebrew: to ascend

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Aaliyah has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "عالية" (ʿāliyah), which translates to "exalted" or "sublime." This name is a feminine form of the masculine name Ali, which also carries connotations of nobility and high status. The transition of Aaliyah into English can be traced through the influence of Arabic culture and language, particularly during the periods of trade and cultural exchange between the Arab world and Europe, especially from the Middle Ages onward.

Historically, the name Aaliyah has been associated with notable figures in Islamic tradition. One of the most significant is Fatimah al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, who is often revered in Islamic culture.

The name has also been borne by various saints and scholars throughout Islamic history, contributing to its enduring presence in Muslim communities. The name gained further recognition in the late 20th century, particularly through the influence of prominent figures in music and entertainment, although these associations are more contemporary.

Culturally, Aaliyah embodies qualities of grace and elevation, making it a name that resonates with themes of honor and respect. In various cultures, names that signify high status or exaltation are often chosen for their aspirational qualities.

The name Aaliyah, with its rich linguistic and cultural heritage, continues to evoke a sense of dignity and reverence, reflecting the values associated with its origins. The diminutive form "Ali" is also historically relevant, often used affectionately in various cultures, though it is more commonly recognized as a standalone name.

Famous people named Aaliyah

In this section, you will find notable people named Aaliyah. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Aaliyah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Aaliyah who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Aaliyah Haughton was a singer and actress best known for her albums One in a Million and Aaliyah, and the film Romeo Must Die.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Aaliyah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Aaliyah. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Aaliyah was first seen in the United States in 1976.

Aaliyah has ranked as high as #120 nationally, which occurred in 2012, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Aaliyah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Aaliyah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Aaliyah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Aaliyah.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 2,607 0 2,607
2024 2,712 0 2,712
2023 2,863 5 2,858
2022 3,286 0 3,286
2021 3,619 0 3,619
2020 3,584 0 3,584
2019 3,680 5 3,675
2018 3,845 0 3,845
2017 4,204 7 4,197
2016 4,660 0 4,660
2015 4,889 5 4,884
2014 4,907 5 4,902
2013 5,258 12 5,246
2012 5,530 7 5,523
2011 5,129 0 5,129
2010 4,679 6 4,673
2009 4,378 0 4,378
2008 4,046 0 4,046
2007 3,961 0 3,961
2006 3,745 0 3,745
2005 3,469 10 3,459
2004 3,503 11 3,492
2003 3,679 6 3,673
2002 4,787 8 4,779
2001 3,360 8 3,352
2000 1,496 0 1,496
1999 1,088 0 1,088
1998 1,404 5 1,399
1997 1,739 0 1,739
1996 831 0 831
1995 1,256 0 1,256
1994 1,457 6 1,451
1993 22 0 22
1992 25 0 25
1991 16 0 16
1990 12 0 12
1989 14 0 14
1988 17 0 17
1987 14 0 14
1986 18 0 18
1985 10 0 10
1984 21 0 21
1983 20 0 20
1982 28 0 28
1981 28 0 28
1980 39 0 39
1979 38 0 38
1978 46 0 46
1977 40 0 40
1976 18 0 18

Top States for Aaliyah (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 463
17%
TX 368
14%
FL 212
8%
NY 170
6%
GA 103
4%
IL 96
4%
PA 77
3%
WA 77
3%
NC 73
3%
AZ 71
3%
MI 64
2%
NJ 61
2%
OH 59
2%
VA 56
2%
MD 54
2%
TN 51
2%
MA 49
2%
LA 35
1%
CO 35
1%
MN 34
1%
NV 33
1%
IN 33
1%
NM 30
1%
MO 30
1%
OK 30
1%
AR 28
1%
SC 28
1%
AL 26
1%
WI 25
1%
MS 25
1%
UT 24
1%
KY 23
1%
OR 23
1%
CT 22
1%
KS 22
1%
IA 15
1%
NE 9
0%
ID 9
0%
SD 8
0%
DC 8
0%
RI 7
0%
WV 7
0%
HI 7
0%
DE 5
0%