Girl · 55th of 30,306
Aaliyah
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
107,420
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2012
Peak Popularity Year
5,529
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Aaliyah stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Aaliyah is an Arabic name meaning 'exalted' or 'sublime'. It has evolved from the masculine name Ali and gained popularity in the 1990s, largely due to the famous singer Aaliyah. The name is associated with grace and beauty and has variants such as Aliyah. There is no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/əˈliːə/
Origin
Arabic
Etymology
The name Aaliyah is derived from the Arabic root 'Ali', which means 'exalted' or 'sublime'. It is a feminine form of the masculine name Ali.
Meaning
Exalted, sublime
Language Evolution
Ali, Aaliyah
Historical Usage
Aaliyah gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in the 1990s, partly due to the influence of the American singer Aaliyah Dana Haughton.
Variants & Derivatives
Aliyah, Aaliyyah
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Aaliyah is seen as a modern and stylish name, often associated with grace and beauty, largely due to its connection with pop culture.
Famous People
Aaliyah Dana Haughton (singer and actress), Aaliyah Shah (actress)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,529 peak births in 2012
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 29 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15579th of 16616 | 6 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 11654th of 24088 | 61 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 13264th of 23106 | 39 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4838th of 19264 | 181 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 809th of 27321 | 3,783 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 92nd of 35406 | 55,926 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 55th of 30306 | 47,424 |