Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Aliya
GirlArabic, Hebrew· “exalted; ascent”
- Meaning
- exalted; ascent
- Origin
- Arabic, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- uh-LEE-yuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #823
- US babies 2025
- 330
- Best rank
- #598 (2012)
- Peak year
- 2012
Meaning and origin of Aliya
Aliya is an Arabic and Hebrew name that means “exalted; ascent”.
Aliya is a spelling shared by two unrelated names. In Arabic, Aliya is the feminine form of Ali and means high, exalted or sublime. In Hebrew, aliyah means ascent; it is the word for being called up to read from the Torah in the synagogue and for immigration to the Land of Israel. Aliya is widely used in Kazakhstan and among Tatars, as well as in Arab and Jewish communities. The American singer Aaliyah made a related spelling widely known in the late twentieth century, and Aliyah and Aaliyah are pronounced the same way.
Popularity over time
Aliya first appears in US Social Security records in 1971. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 27 different years, starting in 1999. Its best national rank was #598 in 2012, the same year it reached its highest count of 483 babies. In 2025, 330 babies were named Aliya, and it ranked #823 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,154 in 1980, #718 in 2000, #652 in 2010, and #823 in 2025. Of the 11,075 US girls named Aliya since records began, 34% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 3,550 babies. Since 2010, 5,512 more have been named Aliya.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ansley, Sariah, Miah, Amelie, and Jaylee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Aliya ranked highest in Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #330 | 17 |
| New York | #403 | 43 |
| Pennsylvania | #414 | 26 |
| Illinois | #439 | 24 |
| Virginia | #542 | 14 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Aliya is usually pronounced uh-LEE-yuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Aliya
A few middle names that flow with Aliya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Aliya
Similar names
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Lists that include Aliya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aliya mean?
Aliya is an Arabic and Hebrew name that means “exalted; ascent”.
What is the origin of the name Aliya?
Aliya has Arabic and Hebrew roots. Aliya is a spelling shared by two unrelated names.
Is Aliya a popular name?
Yes. Aliya ranked #823 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Aliya a boy or girl name?
Aliya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Aliya?
Aliya is usually pronounced uh-LEE-yuh. 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