Rising since 1988, #587 for girls today.
Popularity of Alia since 1915
Babies named Alia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 17 |
| 1920s | 22 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 46 |
| 1970s | 587 |
| 1980s | 1,202 |
| 1990s | 1,864 |
| 2000s | 2,898 |
| 2010s | 4,280 |
| 2020s | 3,112 |
Meaning & origin
Alia is a name of Arabic origin meaning 'exalted' or 'sublime,' the feminine counterpart of Ali. It has been recorded in the United States since 1915, but its popularity has risen sharply since 1988. As of 2025, it ranks 587th, with a 1-in-3,221 birth rate. Its peak year was 2023, and it is most frequently found in Connecticut, Nevada, and New York. The name's steady climb and cross-cultural appeal make it a compelling choice for parents seeking a name with deep roots and modern resonance.
Alia is the feminine form of the Arabic name Ali, meaning 'exalted' or 'sublime.' It has been used across the Arabic-speaking world for centuries and is also common among Muslim families in South Asia. In the United States, Alia has been in use since at least 1915, with a significant rise in popularity beginning in the late 1980s.
Where Alia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alia” around the world
Where Alia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
265
babies in 2024
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Quebec
27
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ali, Al, Lea
Sibling names for Alia
Names that share Alia's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Layla, Nadia, Zara, Amira, Maya, Adia, Daja, Makia, Malea, Naja, Nivea, Abria, Adaia, Alla, Anesha, Shalia, Tyara, Zanya, Akera, Bryah, Dilia, Ileah, Jaleia, Kianah, Terea, Tiasha, Tyria, Lakea, Mekia, Ahja, Cyera, Deia, Javia, Kearia, Lalia, Naasia, Nalla, Riata, Shynia, Teosha, Tyera, Tyshia, Zyairah
Names like Alia
Names whose popularity has moved with Alia's over the last 50 years.
