NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Aleya

A feminine Arabic name meaning "rising" or "ascending".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Aleya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Aleya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1302, with 25 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 25 births.

This profile covers 201 England and Wales registrations across 23 recorded years from 1997 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Aleya is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 200 living people in the UK are called Aleya. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Aleya ranked #1302 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 25 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 25 girls were registered as Aleya.
  • About 200 living people in the UK are estimated to have Aleya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1302

2024

Births in 2024

25

Latest year

Peak year

2024

25 births

Estimated living

200

2026

Meaning

What does Aleya mean?

The name Aleya has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is a feminine name that means "highest, sublime, or exalted." The name is derived from the Arabic word "aliyah," which has roots in the word "ala," meaning "to rise or ascend."

In the Islamic tradition, the name Aleya is often associated with spiritual elevation and attaining a higher state of consciousness. It is believed to have been used in the Middle East and North Africa for centuries, although its precise origins are difficult to pinpoint.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Aleya can be found in the writings of the 12th-century Andalusian poet and philosopher Ibn Arabi. In his works, he mentions a woman named Aleya who was revered for her spiritual wisdom and devotion.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Aleya. For example, Aleya Begum (1518-1577) was a powerful queen and regent of the Mughal Empire in India during the 16th century. She played a crucial role in the succession of her son, Akbar, to the throne.

Another famous Aleya was Aleya Khanum (1516-1594), a prominent poet and scholar from the Safavid Empire in Persia (modern-day Iran). Her works were highly regarded during her lifetime and contributed significantly to the literary and intellectual culture of the region.

In more recent times, Aleya Gebhardt (1899-1975) was a French film actress and singer who appeared in numerous films during the 1920s and 1930s. She was known for her captivating performances and distinctive voice.

Aleya Begum (1910-1985) was a renowned Indian classical singer and music educator. She was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to the field of music.

Aleya Zaidi (born 1964) is a contemporary Pakistani writer and activist known for her work on women's rights and social issues. She has published several books and has been recognized for her efforts in promoting gender equality and human rights.

The name Aleya continues to be popular in various parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Its rich history and spiritual connotations have contributed to its enduring appeal across different cultures and generations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Aleya over time

The chart below shows babies named Aleya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Aleya, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 25 births in 2024, compared with 25 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Aleya
06131925199720102024

Decades

Aleya by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Aleya was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #1794 84 5
2010s #2877 76 9
2000s #3739 33 7
1990s #3158 8 2

Related

Names similar to Aleya

FAQ

Aleya: questions and answers

How popular is the name Aleya in the UK right now?

In 2024, Aleya was ranked #1302 for girls in England and Wales, with 25 births registered.

When was Aleya most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 25 babies registered as Aleya in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Aleya?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "rising" or "ascending".

How many people are called Aleya in the UK?

A total of 201 babies have been registered as Aleya across the 23 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.