Alaa

An uncommon Arabic pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysArabicRising fast
#2814 1094in 2024

Meaning & Origin

partitive singular of ala

Alaa is a girl's and boy's baby name of Arabic origin, meaning 'highness,' 'excellence,' or 'elevation' — from the Arabic root a-l-w, related to height and loftiness. Al-Ala refers to divine transcendence and exaltation in Islamic theological tradition.

Alaa is used for both boys and girls across the Arab world, particularly in Egypt, Lebanon, and other Levantine countries. In the United States, it appears primarily within Arab-American communities. Its simple spelling belies the depth of its meaning — a name that aspires, in four letters, to the highest possible ideal.

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Popularity Over Time

Alaa climbed 1090 spots in the last 20 years — from #3904 to #2814.

01531466120002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Alaa
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s242
2010s503
2000s339
1990s288
1980s103

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(44 years, 19812024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Alaa
YearBirthsRank
202459#2814
202338#3908
202251#3173
202148#3293
202046#3338
201959#2814
201852#3109
201761#2780
201652#3140
201556#3025
201450#3228
201349#3268
201246#3467
201143#3603
201035#4185
200931#4686
200841#3864
200729#4949
200632#4465
200531#4376

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Alaa as a Boy's Name

Though more common for girls, Alaa has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 458 births since 1979.

#8979
Current rank
458
Total births
1994
Peak year
Compare Alaa as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Alaa be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Alaa is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #2814. As a boy's name, it ranks #8979.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19812024) · Methodology