Declining since 1997.
Popularity of Alika since 1971
Babies named Alika per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1998, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alika's real moment was 2016.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 35 | 78 |
| 1980s | 88 | 134 |
| 1990s | 92 | 155 |
| 2000s | 156 | 125 |
| 2010s | 151 | 110 |
| 2020s | 48 | 33 |
Meaning & origin
Alika is a distinctive unisex name of Hawaiian origin that first entered U.S. records in 1971. Its peak year came in 2016, when it was used more frequently than in any other year since its debut. Since 1997, however, its popularity has been falling, reflecting a trajectory common among names that experienced brief spikes. Alika remains a rare choice, with no top-state ranking and a meaning that is open to interpretation: it may derive from a Hawaiian word meaning 'to protect' or be a local adaptation of the European name Alicia. Its rarity and melodic sound make it appealing to parents seeking a name with tropical resonance and cross-cultural flexibility.
The name Alika is a Hawaiian name of uncertain origin. It may derive from the Hawaiian word 'alika' meaning 'to protect' or 'to guard'. Alternatively, it could be a Hawaiian adaptation of the English name Alicia or Alice, which themselves come from the Germanic name Adalheidis meaning 'noble type'. The name has been used in Hawaii and the United States since the 1970s, experiencing a peak in popularity in 2016.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ali, Lika
Sibling names for Alika
Names that share Alika's style, for a brother or sister.
