Declining since 2020, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Alija since 1995
Babies named Alija per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6 | 0 |
| 2000s | 30 | 33 |
| 2010s | 13 | 53 |
| 2020s | 0 | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Alija is a modern unisex name that entered U.S. records in 2001, reaching its peak rank of 12,008 in 2020 before beginning a decline. Its origin is uncertain but likely ties to Arabic 'aliya' meaning 'exalted' or as a Bosnian masculine variant of Ali. The name's trajectory shows a falling trend since 2020, with a 1-in-341,615 birth rate in 2025. Although it lacks strong regional popularity in any top state, its phonetic similarity to the widely used Aaliyah has contributed to its modest adoption.
Alija is likely a variant of Aliyah, a feminine name derived from Arabic 'aliya' meaning 'exalted' or 'sublime', or a Bosnian masculine form of Ali. Its modern use in the United States appears as a spelling variant of the popular Aaliyah, influenced by the late singer Aaliyah. The name gained modest usage from 2001 onward, with a peak in 2020.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ali, Lia, Yaya
Sibling names for Alija
Names that share Alija's style, for a brother or sister.
