NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Aly

Meaning "supreme" or "most high" in Arabic-derived names.

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.

Aly is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Aly popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 6 births.

This profile covers 58 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 1998 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.

The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 58 living people in the UK are called Aly. 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

  • Aly ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2012, when 6 boys were registered as Aly.
  • About 58 living people in the UK are estimated to have Aly as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3254

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2012

6 births

Estimated living

58

2026

Meaning

What does Aly mean?

The name Aly has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is a diminutive form of the name Ali, which is derived from the Arabic word "ali," meaning "high" or "exalted." The name gained prominence during the early days of Islam, as it was the name of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.

The earliest recorded mention of the name Aly can be found in historical accounts from the 7th century CE, during the time of the Rashidun Caliphate. One of the most notable figures with this name was Aly Khan, the son of Sultan Mahommed Shah, Aga Khan III, who was born in 1911 and died in 1960. He was a prominent racehorse owner and breeder and was known for his lavish lifestyle.

Another famous bearer of the name Aly was Aly Bey Bahgat, an Egyptian writer and journalist who lived from 1826 to 1897. He was a pioneer in the field of journalism and is credited with establishing the first Arabic newspaper in Egypt, called "Al-Waqai'a Al-Misriyya."

In the realm of sports, Aly Raisman, an American gymnast born in 1994, has made a significant impact. She is a two-time Olympian and has won multiple medals, including three gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

The name Aly has also been associated with music and entertainment. Aly Bain, a Scottish fiddler and composer, was born in 1946 and is renowned for his contributions to traditional Scottish music. He has received numerous accolades, including the Order of the British Empire.

In literature, Aly Shaeen, an Egyptian novelist and short story writer born in 1910, is noteworthy. His works often explored social and political themes, and he was considered a prominent figure in the literary scene of his time.

While these are just a few examples, the name Aly has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Aly over time

The chart below shows babies named Aly registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 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 Aly, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Aly
02356199820112024

Decades

Aly by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Aly 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 #3389 11 2
2010s #3983 29 7
2000s #3678 13 4
1990s #2074 5 1

Related

Names similar to Aly

FAQ

Aly: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Aly was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Aly most popular?

The peak year on record was 2012, with 6 babies registered as Aly in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Aly?

Meaning "supreme" or "most high" in Arabic-derived names.

How many people are called Aly in the UK?

A total of 58 babies have been registered as Aly across the 14 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.