Aaliyah
Say it: a-LEE-a
GirlMeans usually explained as "high" or "exalted"7 letters3 syllables
#226
in Ireland (2025)
#229 with spellings combined
19
babies in 2025
#193
best rank (2019)
401
babies since 2001
Up 204
10-year rank change
Aaliyah through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | #229 |
| 2024 | 18 | #235 |
| 2023 | 14 | #279 |
| 2022 | 18 | #240 |
| 2021 | 19 | #244 |
| 2020 | 9 | #407 |
| 2019 | 26 | #193 |
| 2018 | 14 | #316 |
| 2017 | 23 | #219 |
| 2016 | 21 | #228 |
| 2015 | 10 | #433 |
| 2014 | 16 | #304 |
| 2013 | 13 | #357 |
| 2012 | 20 | #251 |
| 2011 | 19 | #266 |
| 2010 | 19 | #277 |
| 2009 | 13 | #359 |
| 2008 | 17 | #291 |
| 2007 | 21 | #233 |
| 2006 | 16 | #260 |
| 2005 | 18 | #221 |
| 2004 | 10 | #317 |
| 2003 | 11 | #294 |
| 2002 | 9 | #331 |
| 2001 | 8 | #335 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Aaliyah mean?
Usually explained as "high" or "exalted"
Arabic, from the name Aliya, built on a root to do with height.
Say it right
aLEEa
The double "a" at the start is said as a single short "a".
Not:AY-lee-a
The story of Aaliyah
Aaliyah is an English spelling of the Arabic name Aliya. It comes from a root to do with height, and is usually explained as “high” or “exalted”. It has long been used in Muslim families.
The spelling with a double “a” is best known from the American singer Aaliyah Haughton, who recorded simply as Aaliyah and died in 2001. Her fame carried the name well beyond its Arabic roots, especially in English-speaking countries.
In Ireland it first appears in the CSO records in 2001, the year of her death, and it has been given every year since. Its best year so far was 2019, with 26 babies and a place at number 193. It is used at a similar level in Northern Ireland, where 10 girls were named Aaliyah in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Aaliyah (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Aaliyah (given name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Aaliyah | 19 | 401 |
In Northern Ireland
#177 in 2025 with 10 babies. Best rank #139 (2004); 226 babies since 2002.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.