Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ally
GirlEnglish· “pet form of Alison or Alexandra”
- Meaning
- pet form of Alison or Alexandra
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- A-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,118
- US babies 2025
- 88
- Best rank
- #417 (1998)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Ally
Ally is an English name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Alison or Alexandra”.
Ally is a pet form of names such as Alison, Alexandra, Alice and Allegra, and it is now also used as a name in its own right. Its sound echoes the English word ally, a friend or supporter, which gives it an appealing sense of loyalty, though that is a coincidence of spelling. Alison goes back to the Germanic word for noble, and Alexandra to the Greek for defender. Ally is bright, friendly and informal. Allie and Alley are other spellings, and the name works well as an everyday form of a longer given name.
Popularity over time
Ally first appears in US Social Security records in 1985. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 19 different years, starting in 1998. Its best national rank was #417 in 1998, the same year it reached its highest count of 636 babies. In 2025, 88 babies were named Ally, and it ranked #2,118 nationally. That is 72% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #605 in 2000, #686 in 2010, and #2,118 in 2025. Of the 10,230 US girls named Ally since records began, 41% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 3,347 babies. Since 2010, 4,096 more have been named Ally.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Rhiannon, Yulissa, Luz, Chyna, and Yasmine.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ally ranked highest in Missouri, Tennessee, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | #936 | 5 |
| Tennessee | #1137 | 5 |
| California | #1656 | 13 |
| New York | #1845 | 6 |
| Florida | #2171 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ally is usually pronounced A-lee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-ly”.
Middle names for Ally
A few middle names that flow with Ally: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ally
Similar names
Nelly Girl
NEH-lee
“pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen” · English
#1,294
Molly Girl
MAH-lee
“diminutive of Mary” · English
#196
Lilly Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#252
Dolly Girl
DAH-lee
“pet form of Dorothy, "gift of God"” · English
#1,781
Polly Girl
PAH-lee
“pet form of Mary via Molly” · English
#2,318
Carly Girl
KAHR-lee
“free man” · English
#1,009
Ashly Girl
ASH-lee
“ash tree clearing” · American (modern coinage)
#1,273
Tilly Girl
TIH-lee
“strength in battle” · English
#885
Aly Unisex
AL-ee
“short form of Alyson or Alexandra” · English
#3,716
Lily Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#18
Holly Girl
HAH-lee
“the holly tree” · English
#416
Lexie Girl
LEHK-see
“short for Alexandra; defender” · Greek
#1,357
Lists that include Ally
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ally mean?
Ally is an English name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Alison or Alexandra”.
What is the origin of the name Ally?
Ally has English roots. Ally is a pet form of names such as Alison, Alexandra, Alice and Allegra, and it is now also used as a name in its own right.
Is Ally a popular name?
Not especially. Ally ranked #2,118 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ally a boy or girl name?
Ally is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ally?
Ally 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