Ali
A boys’ name of Arabic origin, meaning the exalted or noble one.
How Ali has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #325 |
| 2016 | #322 |
| 2017 | #310 |
| 2018 | #310 |
| 2019 | #314 |
| 2020 | #324 |
| 2021 | #338 |
| 2022 | #299 |
| 2023 | #309 |
| 2024 | #323 |
| 2025 | #306 |
Ali by the numbers
In 2025, 502 babies in England and Wales were named Ali. In the US, 1,225 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its best year in America so far is the most recent one on record, which means it was still climbing when the records end.
At its height, in 2005, about 1 in 2,800 American boys born that year was called Ali.
Names that come from Ali
Forms of Ali in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Muhammadalipraised, commendable and noble, exalted; combination of Muhammad and Ali5 in England and Wales (2025)
- Muhammad-Alipraised and noble; combination of Muhammad and Ali9 in England and Wales (2025)
- Aliouthe most high; a form of Ali7 in the US (2017)
- Ali-Akbarnoble mighty one; compound of Ali and Akbar5 in England and Wales (2025)
- Alijathe exalted; a form of Ali5 in the US (2017)
- Alirezanoble king; compound of Ali and Reza5 in the US (2017)
- Alishernoble lion; compound of Ali and Sher5 in the US (2017)
- Ali-Haiderexalted lion; a form of Ali and Haider4 in England and Wales (2025)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Ali. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Ali
Names that are said the same way as Ali, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean nobility
Like Ali, each of these has nobility in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Aaronmountain of strength; exalted7,185 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
- Nolanchampion, descendant of the noble one5,403 in the US (2017)
- Patrickof noble birth; patrician375 in England and Wales (2025)
- Aryanoble; honorable; aryan2,201 in the US (2017)
- Bryanhigh, noble; a form of Brian1,827 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean praise
Like Ali, each of these has praise in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Sebastianvenerable, revered10,149 in the US (2017)
- Aaronmountain of strength; exalted7,185 in the US (2017)
- Muhammadpraiseworthy, worthy of praise5,957 in England and Wales (2025)
- Robertbright fame; renowned warrior5,507 in the US (2017)
- Austingreat; venerable; a form of augustus5,161 in the US (2017)
- Luisfamous warrior; form of Louis3,379 in the US (2017)