Holding steady, #5,722 for girls today.
Popularity of Ala since 1889
Babies named Ala per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2017, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ala's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 | 0 |
| 1890s | 0 | 0 |
| 1900s | 13 | 0 |
| 1910s | 94 | 0 |
| 1920s | 76 | 0 |
| 1930s | 24 | 0 |
| 1940s | 7 | 0 |
| 1950s | 17 | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 16 | 6 |
| 1980s | 63 | 53 |
| 1990s | 130 | 60 |
| 2000s | 103 | 13 |
| 2010s | 157 | 5 |
| 2020s | 96 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Ala is a rare and unexpected name that has appeared in U.S. birth records since 1889, when it was recorded for the first time. Over the decades, it has remained consistently uncommon, with a stable trajectory and no significant peaks or declines. The most recent year of data, 2025, places it at rank 5,722, with about 1 in every 76,537 babies given the name. Its top states are not documented, suggesting it is scattered thinly across the country. As a short, vowel-rich name with cross-cultural resonance, Ala appeals to parents seeking something simple yet distinctive. Its multiple possible origins, from Arabic 'excellence' to Turkish 'red', add depth, but no single meaning dominates in English-speaking contexts.
Ala has multiple possible origins. In Arabic, it derives from 'ala, meaning 'excellence, supremacy', and is used as a feminine given name in many Muslim cultures. It may also be a Turkish name, related to al ('red, scarlet'), and appears as a short form of longer names like Alara. In Polish and other Slavic languages, Ala is a diminutive of names such as Alicja or Aleksandra, though this usage is less common. The name has been in sporadic use in the United States since the late 19th century, with a very low incidence.
Sibling names for Ala
Names that share Ala's style, for a brother or sister.
