Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Kaliyah
GirlAmerican (modern coinage)· “modern blend of Ka- and Aaliyah”
- Meaning
- modern blend of Ka- and Aaliyah
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- kuh-LEE-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #392
- US babies 2025
- 791
- Best rank
- #392 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Kaliyah
Kaliyah is an American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “modern blend of Ka- and Aaliyah”.
Kaliyah is a modern American name built by adding a K sound to Aaliyah, the feminine of the Arabic Ali, meaning high or exalted. It belongs to a family of recent names including Jaliyah, Maliyah and Taliyah that share the same melodic ending. Some parents also connect it to Kali, a Hindu goddess, or to Kalia, but those are separate names. Kaliyah has a bright, rhythmic sound and a contemporary feel. Kali and Liyah are nicknames, and Kaleah and Kaliah are alternative spellings.
Popularity over time
Kaliyah first appears in US Social Security records in 1994. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 25 different years, starting in 2001. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #392, and its highest count, 791 babies. Use has grown 37% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,609 in 2000, #572 in 2010, and #392 in 2025. Of the 12,946 US girls named Kaliyah since records began, 42% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 3,662 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Liana, Blaire, Melany, Ivory, and Astrid.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kaliyah ranked highest in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Nevada.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #119 | 20 |
| South Carolina | #203 | 24 |
| Nevada | #224 | 12 |
| Tennessee | #235 | 34 |
| Florida | #238 | 80 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kaliyah is usually pronounced kuh-LEE-uh, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with K and ends in “-ah”.
Middle names for Kaliyah
A few middle names that flow with Kaliyah: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kaliyah
Similar names
Aniyah Girl
uh-NY-uh
“modern coinage, possibly from Anya” · American (modern coinage)
#485
Amiyah Girl
uh-MY-uh
“modern variant of Amaya or Amia” · American (modern coinage)
#620
Maliyah Girl
muh-LEE-uh
“variant of Malia, Hawaiian form of Mary” · American (modern coinage)
#626
Nylah Girl
NY-luh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#504
Zariah Girl
zuh-RY-uh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#450
Alayah Girl
uh-LAY-uh
“exalted” · Arabic
#412
Aleah Girl
uh-LEE-uh
“exalted” · Arabic
#965
Ariah Girl
AR-ee-uh
“modern variant of Aria” · American (modern coinage)
#636
Lylah Girl
LY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#585
Mylah Girl
MY-luh
“variant of Mila or Myla” · American (modern coinage)
#605
Aliah Girl
uh-LEE-uh
“variant of Aaliyah; exalted” · Arabic
#1,192
Naveah Girl
nuh-VAY-uh
“variant of Nevaeh, heaven spelled backward” · American (modern coinage)
#2,146
Lists that include Kaliyah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kaliyah mean?
Kaliyah is an American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “modern blend of Ka- and Aaliyah”.
What is the origin of the name Kaliyah?
Kaliyah has modern American roots. Kaliyah is a modern American name built by adding a K sound to Aaliyah, the feminine of the Arabic Ali, meaning high or exalted.
Is Kaliyah a popular name?
Yes. Kaliyah ranked #392 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kaliyah a boy or girl name?
Kaliyah is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kaliyah?
Kaliyah is usually pronounced kuh-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