Aaliyah Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Aaliyah is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Aaliyah?
Aaliyah is spelled A-A-L-I-Y-A-H. The name has 7 letters.
Aaliyah at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Aaliyah is commonly understood to mean “exalted” or “high-ranking” in Arabic.
- Origin
- Aaliyah is associated with Arabic origins and is derived from a root meaning “to ascend” or “to rise.”
- Pronunciation
- a-LIE-yah · 3 syllables
Aaliyah Popularity in 2025
Rank#101
Recorded Births2,607
- Girls usage fell 6 places to #101 and recorded 105 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Aaliyah Mean?
Aaliyah is commonly understood to mean “exalted” or “high-ranking” in Arabic.
Origin: Aaliyah is associated with Arabic origins and is derived from a root meaning “to ascend” or “to rise.”
How Do You Pronounce Aaliyah?
Pronunciationa-LIE-yah
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Aaliyah?
- History
- The name Aaliyah has been used in various Arabic-speaking cultures and has gained wider international recognition in recent decades.
Aaliyah Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2010 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 2,607 | #101 |
| 2024 | Girls | 2,712 | #95 |
| 2023 | Girls | 2,858 | #85 |
| 2023 | Boys | 5 | #12,239 |
| 2022 | Girls | 3,286 | #69 |
| 2021 | Girls | 3,619 | #61 |
| 2020 | Girls | 3,584 | #65 |
| 2019 | Girls | 3,675 | #70 |
| 2019 | Boys | 5 | #12,145 |
| 2018 | Girls | 3,845 | #65 |
| 2017 | Girls | 4,197 | #57 |
| 2017 | Boys | 7 | #9,696 |
| 2016 | Girls | 4,660 | #53 |
| 2015 | Girls | 4,884 | #47 |
| 2015 | Boys | 5 | #12,086 |
| 2014 | Girls | 4,902 | #45 |
| 2014 | Boys | 5 | #12,108 |
| 2013 | Girls | 5,246 | #37 |
| 2013 | Boys | 12 | #6,603 |
| 2012 | Girls | 5,523 | #36 |
| 2012 | Boys | 7 | #9,709 |
| 2011 | Girls | 5,129 | #46 |
| 2010 | Girls | 4,673 | #56 |
| 2010 | Boys | 6 | #10,766 |
When Was Aaliyah Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2012 · Girls
5,523 recorded births
National rank #36
2013 · Girls
5,246 recorded births
National rank #37
2011 · Girls
5,129 recorded births
National rank #46
2014 · Girls
4,902 recorded births
National rank #45
Where Aaliyah Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| NM | #37 | 24 |
| DE | #46 | 13 |
| NV | #49 | 37 |
| AZ | #50 | 94 |
| CA | #58 | 442 |
| TX | #66 | 372 |
| DC | #73 | 9 |
| FL | #80 | 196 |