Ali
Ali: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɑːli/ · /ˈæli/
Meaning and origin of Ali
- A male given name from Arabic.
- A diminutive of the female given name Alison or of its variants.
- A diminutive of the male given name Alistair or of its variants.
Etymology
From Arabic عَلِيّ (ʕaliyy, literally “high, exalted”), from the Arabic root ع ل ي (ʕ l y).
How popular is Ali?
Since 1880, 10,505 girls and 34,383 boys in the U.S. have been named Ali (23% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #661 in 1986. Its highest rank for boys was #301 in 2022. In 2025 it ranked #306 for boys, with 1,160 babies given the name.
Names similar to Ali
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Arabic unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Ali
Sister and brother names that share Ali's Arabic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ali FAQ
What does the name Ali mean?
A male given name from Arabic. A diminutive of the female given name Alison or of its variants. A diminutive of the male given name Alistair or of its variants. From Arabic عَلِيّ (ʕaliyy, literally “high, exalted”), from the Arabic root ع ل ي (ʕ l y).
What is the origin of the name Ali?
Ali is listed as a name of Arabic origin.
How popular is the name Ali?
Since 1880, 10,505 girls and 34,383 boys in the U.S. have been named Ali (23% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #661 in 1986. Its highest rank for boys was #301 in 2022. In 2025 it ranked #306 for boys, with 1,160 babies given the name.
Is Ali a boy or girl name?
Ali is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (10,505 girls and 34,383 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.