Ali

For many more names, please Return to Edgar's Main Page.

Ali

Gender: Masculine, Feminine
Language: Arabic, English
Etymology:
Ali is an Arabic name, coming from “aily” meaning “Lofty,” or “Greatest.”
-or-
As a feminine name, Ali is short for the name Alice. Alice is the modern English form of Adelaide. Adelaide contracted to Adelais to Adeliz to Aliz to Alice.

History:
Ali, the masculine name name, is an important name in the Muslim world, popular throughout its history. It belonged to a cousin of Mohammed’s, who was later the fourth caliph.

In the United States, Ali showed a jump in use during the 1970s, perhaps as a result of increased Muslim immigration, the Black Muslim movement of the 1960s, and/or affection for the boxer Muhammad Ali.

Ali, the feminine name, comes from Alice, and was popularized after actress Ali MacGraw starred in the 1970 hit Love Story.

Pronunciation: all-ee.

Famous Bearers:
Fictional Characters:
Ali Baba
Character from Arabian Nights.

Political Figures:
Ali Pasha (m., 1744-1822)
Turkish pasha of Yannina (Greece).
Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (m., 1934-)
President of Iran.

Religious Figures:
Ali (m., circa 600-661)
The Fourth Caliph.

Royalty:
Fath Ali Shah (m., 1762-1834)
Shah of Persia.
Sher Ali (m., 1825-1879)
Emir of Afghanistan.

Singers and Entertainers:
Ali (Alice) MacGraw (1938-)
American actress.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census, for males:
0.012 % named Ali

Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census, for females:
0.002 % named Ali

Popularity of Ali, for males:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1970: N/A
1970-1980: 658th most popular.
1980-1990: 578th most popular.
1990-2000: 464th most popular.
1998: 393rd most popular.
1999: 392nd most popular.
2000: 381st most popular.
2001: 368th most popular.
2002: 320th most popular.
2003: 346th most popular.

Popularity of Ali, for females:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1990: N/A
1990-2000: 680th most popular.
1998: 786th most popular.
1999: 874th most popular.
2000: 933rd most popular.
2001: N/A