The nameAliyah

Aliyah is a girl's name of Arabic and Hebrew origin meaning "high, exalted". A spelling of Aaliyah, it reached the American top 140.

Girl's name
Arabic and Hebrew

Meaning

Aliyah comes from the Arabic aliya, "high, exalted". In Hebrew, aliyah means "ascent".

Origin

Arabic and Hebrew. Two origins meet in the name.

History

Aliyah rose in the United States in the 1990s and 2000s, after the success of the singer Aaliyah.

Famous people named Aliyah

Aliyah Boston, basketball player

Popularity of the name Aliyah

Aliyah in the United States

237thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024

2011peak year (2,301 births)

47,854babies named Aliyah in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Aliyah was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 20,183 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Aliyah. Its rise began around 1994, and it peaked in 2011. Half of all babies named Aliyah in the United States were born before 2011, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,388 births a year on average, against 1,873 in the five years before.

Aliyah in the United Kingdom

350thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

2004peak year (291 births)

5,142babies named Aliyah in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Aliyah was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 2,131 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Aliyah. Half of all babies named Aliyah in the United Kingdom were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 152 births a year.

Aliyah in France

130thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures

2023peak year (540 births)

7,055babies named Aliyah in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Aliyah in Belgium

212thmost popular girls' name in Belgium in 2025

2023peak year (52 births)

583babies named Aliyah in Belgium since 1995

Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Aliyah in Switzerland

404thmost popular girls' name in Switzerland in 2025

2019peak year (38 births)

530babies named Aliyah in Switzerland since 2000

Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Variants and related names

Liyah

Sibling names for Aliyah

Names from the same generation as Aliyah, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Aliyah? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Aliyah in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Aliyah mean?

Aliyah comes from the Arabic aliya, "high, exalted". In Hebrew, aliyah means "ascent".

What is the origin of the name Aliyah?

Arabic and Hebrew. Two origins meet in the name.

Is Aliyah a girl's or a boy's name?

Aliyah is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Aliyah?

In 2024, Aliyah was the 237th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,311 births.

What are the variants of the name Aliyah?

Variants and related names of Aliyah include Liyah.

What are good sibling names for Aliyah?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Aaliyah, Leila, Elise and Laila for a sister, Mohamed, Max, Ahmed and Mohammed for a brother.

Who are famous people named Aliyah?

Aliyah Boston, basketball player.