What Does the Name Aaliyah Mean?
Aaliyah is a girl's name of Arabic origin meaning “exalted, high, sublime.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Aaliyah |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Arabic |
| Meaning | exalted, high, sublime |
| Variants | Alia, Aliyah, Aleah, Aliya, Aliyyah |
| Popularity | A top-100 US girls' name from the late 1990s onward, popular both in Muslim communities and the broader American public. |
The meaning and origin of Aaliyah
The name Aaliyah means “exalted, high, sublime” and has Arabic origins. Aaliyah is the feminine form of the Arabic name Aali, derived from a root meaning 'to ascend' or 'to be high.' Its use in the English-speaking world grew enormously following the popularity of the American singer Aaliyah in the 1990s.
Variants and related names
Aaliyah is related to several other names you may recognize: Alia, Aliyah, Aleah, Aliya, Aliyyah. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Aaliyah?
A top-100 US girls' name from the late 1990s onward, popular both in Muslim communities and the broader American public.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aaliyah mean?+
The name Aaliyah means “exalted, high, sublime” and is of Arabic origin.
What is the origin of the name Aaliyah?+
Aaliyah originates from Arabic.
Is Aaliyah a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Aaliyah has trended in the US over time.
Aaliyah by gender
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Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press