Names › Boys' names › A › Ali
Ali
Meaning: high, exalted · Origin: Arabic · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
Arabic for 'high, exalted'. Ali ibn Abi Talib was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.
Famous people named Ali
- Ali ibn Abi Talib
Nicknames
Al
Variants & related names
Aly, Alee
Ali name art
A free preview of a printable “Ali” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Ali mean?
Ali means “high, exalted”. It comes from Arabic.
Is Ali a popular name?
Yes — Ali has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for Ali?
Al.
What are other forms of Ali?
Aly, Alee.
Similar names
Muhammad · Omar · Amir · Alexander · Asher · Aiden
More: names starting with A · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.