UK girl's name
Alyaa
A feminine Arabic name originating from the word "aliya", meaning lofty or exalted.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Alyaa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Alyaa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5493, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2017 to 2020. 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 9 living people in the UK are called Alyaa. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Alyaa ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 3 girls were registered as Alyaa.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Alyaa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5493
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2017
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Alyaa mean?
The name Alyaa is derived from the Arabic language and has its origins in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Lebanon. It is believed to have emerged sometime around the 7th century AD, during the rise of Islam and the spread of the Arabic language.
Alyaa is a feminine name that is thought to be a variation of the Arabic word 'Aliya,' which means 'high' or 'exalted.' This connection suggests that the name Alyaa was likely given to girls with the hope that they would grow up to be of high moral character and elevated status.
In Islamic tradition, the name Alyaa is not explicitly mentioned in religious texts like the Quran or the Hadith. However, its linguistic roots and meaning aligned with the values promoted in these scriptures, making it a popular choice among Arabic-speaking communities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Alyaa can be found in the writings of medieval Arab scholars and poets. For example, the 10th-century poet Al-Mutanabbi mentioned a woman named Alyaa in one of his famous works, suggesting that the name was in use during that time period.
Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Alyaa. One of the most famous is Alyaa Al-Mubarak (1948-2021), a Kuwaiti politician and businesswoman who served as the Minister of Public Works in Kuwait from 2005 to 2011. Another prominent figure is Alyaa Al-Saffar (born 1953), an Iraqi writer and novelist known for her contributions to contemporary Arabic literature.
Another notable Alyaa is Alyaa Al-Mulla (born 1964), a Kuwaiti artist and sculptor who has gained international recognition for her works exploring themes of identity and cultural heritage. Alyaa Al-Shalfan (born 1987) is a Kuwaiti entrepreneur and philanthropist who has advocated for women's empowerment and education in the Middle East.
In the field of sports, Alyaa Ghumais (born 1990) is a Saudi Arabian footballer who has represented her country in international competitions and is considered one of the pioneers of women's football in Saudi Arabia.
These are just a few examples of the many influential women who have carried the name Alyaa throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of Arabic culture and society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Alyaa over time
The chart below shows babies named Alyaa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2017 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Alyaa, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Alyaa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Alyaa 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 | #5493 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5678 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Alyaa
- Amelia 94,830
- Ava 54,556
- Amy 52,495
- Alice 46,815
- Abigail 45,658
- Amber 31,922
- Anna 27,802
- Alexandra 19,455
- Amelie 18,051
- Abbie 15,971
- Aimee 15,158
- Annabelle 15,120
FAQ
Alyaa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Alyaa in the UK right now?
In 2020, Alyaa was ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Alyaa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 3 babies registered as Alyaa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Alyaa?
A feminine Arabic name originating from the word "aliya", meaning lofty or exalted.
How many people are called Alyaa in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Alyaa across the 3 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.