Alliyah is a beautiful and unique given name of African-American origin. It is believed to have been created by combining the names Ali and Yahlia, both of which have their own distinct meanings.
The name Aliyah means "to ascend" or "to go up" in Hebrew. It has significant religious and cultural importance in Judaism, as it refers to the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to Israel. In Arabic, Aliyah also signifies "elevated" or "noble."
In the past few decades, Alliyah has gained popularity as a given name, particularly among African-American families. Its usage has contributed to the trend of creating unique and meaningful names by blending different names together.
While there is no definitive historical figure associated with the name Alliyah, its components have rich histories. Ali, which means "exalted" or "elevated," is a name often associated with Muhammad Ali, the renowned boxer known for his humanitarian efforts and social activism. Yahlia, on the other hand, may be derived from names such as Yahya or Yael, which have biblical connections.
Today, Alliyah continues to be a popular choice among parents looking for distinctive and meaningful names for their daughters. Its unique sound and powerful meaning make it a captivating option that celebrates cultural heritage while also paying homage to religious and historical figures.
The name Alliyah has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past three decades in the United States.
In the mid-1990s, the name gained traction with a total of 147 births recorded in 1995 alone. The trend continued throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, with peaks of 173 births in 2002 and 155 births in both 2001 and 2004.
However, from around 2006 onwards, the popularity of the name Alliyah began to decline steadily. By 2013, the number of annual births had dropped to 86, and this downward trend continued into the 2010s and early 2020s. In recent years, the number of babies named Alliyah has been quite low, with only 16 recorded in 2023.
Overall, from 1994 to 2023, a total of 2,977 babies were named Alliyah in the United States. This data shows that while the name was popular for a period, it has since fallen out of favor among parents choosing names for their newborn daughters.