Declining since 2020, #2,256 for girls today.
Popularity of Alita since 1914
Babies named Alita per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 42 |
| 1920s | 94 |
| 1930s | 87 |
| 1940s | 125 |
| 1950s | 223 |
| 1960s | 275 |
| 1970s | 245 |
| 1980s | 202 |
| 1990s | 142 |
| 2000s | 193 |
| 2010s | 291 |
| 2020s | 689 |
Meaning & origin
Alita is a name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Arabic Aaliyah, meaning 'exalted' or 'sublime'. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1914, but saw a notable peak in 2020, likely influenced by the 2019 film 'Alita: Battle Angel'. Since then, its popularity has been falling. In 2025, it ranked 2256 with an incidence of 1 in 19843. The name is most common in states like Florida, California, and Texas.
Alita likely emerged as a modern variant of Aaliyah, an Arabic name meaning 'exalted' or 'sublime'. Its spelling may also have been influenced by literary or cinematic sources, such as the cyborg heroine Alita from the manga and film 'Alita: Battle Angel'. The name gained traction in the United States in the late 20th century.
Where Alita is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alita” around the world
Where Alita lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ali, Lita, Allie
Variants: Aleta, Aalita, Alitah
Sibling names for Alita
Names that share Alita's style, for a brother or sister.
