Ali Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Ali is used for both girls and boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Ali?
Ali is spelled A-L-I. The name has 3 letters.
Ali at a Glance
- Usage
- Used for both girls and boys
- Meaning
- Ali is commonly understood to mean “elevated” or “exalted.”
- Origin
- Ali is a name with roots in the Arabic language and culture.
- Pronunciation
- AH-lee · 2 syllables
Ali Popularity in 2025
Rank#3,459
Recorded Births44
Rank#306
Recorded Births1,116
- Girls usage fell 951 places to #3,459 and recorded 27 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage rose 17 places to #306 and recorded 50 more 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 Ali Mean?
Ali is commonly understood to mean “elevated” or “exalted.”
Origin: Ali is a name with roots in the Arabic language and culture.
How Do You Pronounce Ali?
PronunciationAH-lee
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Ali?
- History
- The name Ali appears in various Islamic religious and historical texts.
Ali Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 44 | #3,459 |
| 2025 | Boys | 1,116 | #306 |
| 2024 | Girls | 71 | #2,508 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,066 | #323 |
| 2023 | Girls | 74 | #2,415 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,066 | #311 |
| 2022 | Girls | 88 | #2,156 |
| 2022 | Boys | 1,124 | #301 |
| 2021 | Girls | 103 | #1,910 |
| 2021 | Boys | 958 | #339 |
| 2020 | Girls | 93 | #2,005 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,017 | #324 |
| 2019 | Girls | 130 | #1,629 |
| 2019 | Boys | 1,069 | #314 |
| 2018 | Girls | 111 | #1,830 |
| 2018 | Boys | 1,094 | #310 |
| 2017 | Girls | 118 | #1,770 |
| 2017 | Boys | 1,116 | #310 |
| 2016 | Girls | 154 | #1,485 |
| 2016 | Boys | 1,087 | #322 |
| 2015 | Girls | 190 | #1,280 |
| 2015 | Boys | 1,061 | #325 |
| 2014 | Girls | 240 | #1,068 |
| 2014 | Boys | 1,011 | #334 |
When Was Ali 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.
2022 · Boys
1,124 recorded births
National rank #301
2025 · Boys
1,116 recorded births
National rank #306
2017 · Boys
1,116 recorded births
National rank #310
2018 · Boys
1,094 recorded births
National rank #310
Where Ali 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 Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MI | #50 | 157 |
| NY | #166 | 116 |
| DC | #168 | 5 |
| VA | #179 | 51 |
| IL | #186 | 63 |
| MA | #223 | 27 |
| NJ | #231 | 41 |
| MD | #243 | 23 |