Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Aaliya
GirlArabic· “variant of Aaliyah: exalted, sublime”
- Meaning
- variant of Aaliyah: exalted, sublime
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- ah-LEE-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,389
- US babies 2025
- 45
- Best rank
- #2,187 (2013)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Aaliya
Aaliya is an Arabic name that means “variant of Aaliyah: exalted, sublime”.
Aaliya is a variant of Aaliyah, from Arabic aliya, exalted or sublime. In the United States the name is closely associated with the singer Aaliyah, whose music made the name familiar far beyond Arabic-speaking communities. The spelling without a final h is common in South Asia and among Muslim families elsewhere. The pronunciation is ah-LEE-uh, with the stress on the middle syllable. Related names include Aliya, Alia and Aliyah; in Hebrew, aliyah is an unrelated word meaning ascent, used for moving to Israel. Ali and Liya are affectionate nicknames, and the meaning gives the name a quietly uplifting tone.
Popularity over time
Aaliya first appears in US Social Security records in 1988. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,187 in 2013, and the most babies received it in 2010, when 85 were named Aaliya. In 2025, 45 babies were named Aaliya, and it ranked #3,389 nationally. That is 30% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,886 in 2000, #2,258 in 2010, and #3,389 in 2025. Of the 1,571 US girls named Aaliya since records began, 43% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 499 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Arrianna, Maja, Abigael, Chloey, and Genessis.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Aaliya ranked highest in Texas and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #2386 | 8 |
| California | #2488 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Aaliya is usually pronounced ah-LEE-uh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Aaliya
A few middle names that flow with Aaliya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Aaliya
Similar names
Safiya Girl
sah-FEE-yuh
“pure; sincere friend” · Arabic
#1,333
Alya Girl
AHL-yuh
“exalted, sublime” · Arabic
#1,334
Inaaya Girl
ih-NAH-yuh
“care, concern” · Arabic
#3,420
Sariya Girl
sah-REE-yuh
“modern name, meaning uncertain” · Arabic
#2,508
Haniya Girl
HAH-nee-yuh
“happy, delighted” · Arabic
#2,832
Aliya Girl
uh-LEE-yuh
“exalted; ascent” · Arabic
#823
Raya Girl
RY-uh
“friend; several independent sources” · Hebrew
#369
Soraya Girl
suh-RY-uh
“the Pleiades” · Persian
#868
Inaya Girl
ih-NY-uh
“care, concern” · Arabic
#776
Aniya Girl
uh-NY-uh
“modern name, possibly from Anya” · American (modern coinage)
#1,071
Amiya Girl
uh-MY-uh
“uncertain; often linked to nectar” · American (modern coinage)
#1,809
Kaya Girl
KY-uh
“rock (Turkish); several other sources” · Turkish
#1,133
Lists that include Aaliya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aaliya mean?
Aaliya is an Arabic name that means “variant of Aaliyah: exalted, sublime”.
What is the origin of the name Aaliya?
Aaliya has Arabic roots. Aaliya is a variant of Aaliyah, from Arabic aliya, exalted or sublime.
Is Aaliya a popular name?
Not especially. Aaliya ranked #3,389 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Aaliya a boy or girl name?
Aaliya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Aaliya?
Aaliya is usually pronounced ah-LEE-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings