Ali

#67 in Michigan

Meaning of Ali

The name Ali is a popular male given name with deep historical and cultural roots. Originating from Arabic, Ali (pronounced AH-lee) means "exalted" or "noble," and it holds significant importance in Islamic tradition due to its association with Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. This name is also common in Turkish culture, reflecting its widespread appeal across various Muslim-majority countries. Variations of the name include Aliyah and Aaliyah, which are more commonly used for females. In the United States, the name Ali has seen consistent popularity over the decades. It ranked 309th in 2023 with 1,065 occurrences, showing a steady presence among baby names since at least the mid-20th century. The enduring charm of this name lies not only in its simplicity but also in its rich heritage and profound meaning.

Pronunciation

Arabic,Turkish

  • Pronunced as AH-lee (/ˈɑːli/)

U.S. Popularity Chart

States Popularity Chart

Notable People Named Ali

Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei is the second supreme leader of Iran and a prominent Twelver Shia marja' who previously served as the third president of Iran.
Ali Abdullah Saleh al-Ahmar was the first President of Yemen, serving from 1990 to 2012, and had previously been the President of North Yemen from 1978 to 1990.
Mohammad Ali Karimi is a former professional footballer and Iranian football coach, known for his successful career in various leagues and as a top scorer in the AFC Asian Cup.
Ali Daei is a renowned Iranian football manager and former professional player, known for his impressive career in the German Bundesliga and as the captain of the Iranian national team.
Ali al-Sistani - Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani is a highly influential Twelver Shia Grand Ayatollah and marja', considered a spiritual leader of Shia Muslims worldwide and a prominent figure in Iraq.
Ali Fazal is an Indian actor known for his roles in both English and Hindi language films, including The Other End of the Line, 3 Idiots, and Bobby Jasoos.
Ali Ardeshir Larijani is an Iranian conservative politician, philosopher, and former military officer who served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Iran from 2008 to 2020 and is currently a member of the Expediency Discernment Council.
Ali MacGraw - Elizabeth Alice MacGraw is an American actress and activist known for her roles in films such as Goodbye, Columbus, Love Story, The Getaway, and Convoy.
Ali Gatie is an Iraqi–Canadian singer and songwriter known for his hit song "It's You," which achieved worldwide success in 2019.
Ali Abdussalam Treki was a prominent Libyan diplomat who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and president of the United Nations General Assembly.
Ali Payami is a Swedish record producer, songwriter, and DJ known for his work with artists such as The Weeknd and Taylor Swift.
Ali Modu Sheriff is a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Borno State for two consecutive terms from 2003 to 2011.
Ali Saleh Kiba, also known as Ali Kiba or King Kiba, is a Tanzanian musician and songwriter, known for hit songs like "Mwana" and "Aje," and is considered one of the most successful Bongo Flava stars.
Ali Bouali, also known as Ali B, is a prominent Dutch-Moroccan rapper and a key figure in Dutch inter-ethnic relations.
Ali al-Jifri - Habib Ali Zain al-Abidin al-Jifri is a prominent Yemeni Sunni Islamic scholar and spiritual educator, as well as the founder of Tabah Foundation in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with a direct lineage to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Lucia Estrella Mendoza
Curated byLucia Estrella Mendoza

Assistant Editor