Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Alli
GirlEnglish· “short form of Allison or Alexandra”
- Meaning
- short form of Allison or Alexandra
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- A-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #6,339
- US babies 2025
- 18
- Best rank
- #1,177 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2011
Meaning and origin of Alli
Alli is an English name that is usually said to mean “short form of Allison or Alexandra”.
Alli is a short form of names like Allison, Alexandra and Alice. Allison comes from a medieval diminutive of Alice, which is from Germanic elements meaning noble, while Alexandra comes from the Greek for defender of the people. Alli became an independent name in the late twentieth century. It has a friendly, bright sound and is easy to spell and pronounce. It fits the popularity of short names like Ellie and Abby. Alli works as a full name or as a nickname within a longer given name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Allie, Alley, Alie.
Popularity over time
Alli first appears in US Social Security records in 1916. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,177 in 2011, the same year it reached its highest count of 205 babies. In 2025, 18 babies were named Alli, and it ranked #6,339 nationally. That is 80% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,357 in 2000, #1,317 in 2010, and #6,339 in 2025. Of the 3,805 US girls named Alli since records began, 40% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,063 babies. Since 2010, 1,234 more have been named Alli.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Izzabella, Somaya, Miyah, Joslynn, and Maycee.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Alli is usually pronounced A-lee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-li”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Allie, Alley, and Alie.
Middle names for Alli
A few middle names that flow with Alli: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alli
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Lists that include Alli
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alli mean?
Alli is an English name that is usually said to mean “short form of Allison or Alexandra”.
What is the origin of the name Alli?
Alli has English roots. Alli is a short form of names like Allison, Alexandra and Alice.
Is Alli a popular name?
Not especially. Alli ranked #6,339 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Alli a boy or girl name?
Alli is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Alli?
Alli is usually pronounced A-lee. 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