Aaliyah

Both powerful and pretty, with a melodic sound, Aaliyah joins Layla, Lila, Zara, and Aisha as a name of Arabic origin that is also popular in the English-speaking world.

Back in 1993, the name was virtually unheard of in the US, given to only a tiny handful of girls each year. Then, the singer Aaliyah Haughton rose to fame under her mononym "Aaliyah". Known as the "Princess of R&B", her debut album launched not only her career, but also her name.

By 1994, Aaliyah was in the Top 300, where it stayed until the tragic death of the singer in 2001. Rather than the name becoming associated with tragedy, it jumped into the US Top 100, where it has remained ever since.

A feminine form of the Arabic name Aali, Aaliyah means "high, sublime, lofty" or "exalted." With its distinguished but approachable feel, Aaliyah has seen widespread usage and as a result, has a number of spelling variants, including Aliyah, Aliyyah, Alia, Aleah, Aliye, and Aleia.

Distinctive but familiar, it is understandable why Aaliyah was able to break into the American charts. Given to over 2700 babies each year in the US, it also ranks highly in the UK and France, while other spelling variations are more popular across the world.

Boosted to fame by the singer and her legacy, and a reflection of today's multicultural societies, Aaliyah remains an elegant and popular choice. If you are interested in Aaliyah, you could explore other Arabic names, such as Nadira, Amal, Anisa, or Munira. If it's just the sound you like, then Tallulah, Alara, and Alodia might appeal.

Pronounced ah-LEE-yah.

As of October 2026, Aaliyah ranked #101 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #36 in 2012, Nameberry popularity #326.