Rising since 1995, #5,238 for girls today.
Popularity of Kaaliyah since 1994
Babies named Kaaliyah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 23 |
| 2000s | 188 |
| 2010s | 142 |
| 2020s | 84 |
Meaning & origin
Kaaliyah first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1994, making it a relatively recent arrival. Its peak year was 2002, after which usage declined. By 2025, the name ranked 5,238 with a rate of about 1 in 66,969 births, indicating a modest but enduring presence. While the name lacks a clear etymological root, it fits a broader naming trend favoring melodic, vowel-rich names ending in 'iyah.' It is most often considered a modern American creation.
Kaaliyah is a modern coinage, likely formed by blending elements from names such as Kaliyah, Aaliyah, or Kaia. It follows a popular pattern of names ending in '-iyah' or '-aliyah' that rose in the United States during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The name first appeared in Social Security records in 1994.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kali, Lee, Yah
Variants: Kaliyah, Kaaliya
Sibling names for Kaaliyah
Names that share Kaaliyah's style, for a brother or sister.
