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Ali
Pronounced AL-ee /ΛΓ¦l.i/Low
Meaning: Short form of Alice, Alison or Alexandra.Low
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
As a girl's name, Ali is a clipped, friendly version of several longer names rather than a name with its own etymology. Parents reach for it as a quick form of Alice, Alison, or Alexandra, depending on which fuller name they have in mind. Its character comes entirely from those parent names.
Short and easy to say, it works as both a nickname and a standalone given name. The same spelling is widely known as a masculine Arabic name, carried by figures such as the Egyptian politician Ali Sabri and the general Ali al-Rikabi, so context tells you which tradition is in play.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Ali Sabri (1920β1991)Egyptian politician, prime minister and vice president.
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Ali al-Rikabi (1864β1943)Arab general; first prime minister of Arab Kingdom of Syria.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Ali mean?
As a girls' name, Ali is a short form of Alice, Alison, or Alexandra, linked with English tradition.
How do you pronounce Ali?
It's commonly said AL-ee /ΛΓ¦l.i/.
Is Ali a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Ali is used as a girl name.
How popular is Ali?
In 2024, Ali ranked #2524 in the U.S. for girls, with 70 births recorded.