Aaliyah
Aaliyah is a girls' name of Arabic origin meaning “exalted, sublime, highest social standing.” It ranked #101 in the United States in 2025. A name with deep roots in Arabic culture signifying loftiness and nobility.
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how do you pronounce Aaliyah?
ah-LEE-yah
where does the name Aaliyah come from?
From the Arabic عالية ('āliya), the feminine form of 'Alī, built on the triliteral root ʿ-L-W meaning to be high, to rise, or to be exalted. It shares that root with words for elevation and ascent, so the name literally reads as she who is elevated.
It rose to widespread popularity in the United States largely through the influence of the R&B singer Aaliyah Dana Haughton.
how popular is this name?
Aaliyah has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 32 years since 1994. It peaked at #36 in 2012, and ranked #101 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #101 |
| 2024 | #95 |
| 2023 | #85 |
| 2022 | #69 |
| 2021 | #61 |
| 2020 | #65 |
| 2019 | #70 |
| 2018 | #65 |
| 2017 | #57 |
| 2016 | #53 |
| 2012 | #36 |
| 2010 | #56 |
| 2000 | #211 |
| 1994 | #202 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Aaliyah fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Aaliyah
Long established across the Arabic-speaking world, Aaliyah entered mainstream English-speaking use in the 1990s and climbed sharply after the American singer Aaliyah Haughton reached international fame. Her death in 2001 at twenty-two fixed the name in a generation's memory, and it has stayed inside the American top 100 for most of the years since.
what are the nicknames and variants of Aaliyah?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Aaliyah?
- Aaliyah Dana Haughton (singer)
what names are similar to Aaliyah?
what names go well with Aaliyah?
Sibling names that share Aaliyah's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Aaliyah
What does the name Aaliyah mean?
Aaliyah means “exalted, sublime, highest social standing”.
What is the origin of the name Aaliyah?
Aaliyah comes from the Arabic naming tradition. Related forms include Alia, Aliyah, Aaliya and Alya.
How popular is the name Aaliyah?
Aaliyah ranked #101 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2012, at #36, and it has spent 32 years in the top 1,000 since 1994.
Is Aaliyah a boy or girl name?
Aaliyah is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Aaliyah?
Aaliyah is pronounced ah-LEE-yah, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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