Alhaji
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 211 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
An honorific given to a Muslim who has participated in a hajj.
Alhaji is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Arabic al-Hajj, meaning 'one who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca.' Alhaji is an honorific title in West African Muslim communities — particularly in Nigeria, Senegal, and Gambia — given to men who have completed the Hajj, one of Islam's Five Pillars.
As a given name, Alhaji bestows upon a child the honor of the pilgrimage before it has been performed — a devotional act of naming that expresses a family's faith and aspiration. It is widely used as a first name in Nigeria and other West African nations.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Alhaji is rooted in the Arabic tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1979 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Alhaji’s rarity (211 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Alhaji has 27+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1979.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 13 | #10240 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 52 | #10403 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 88 | #7089 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 40 | #7707 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 10 | #6641 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 8 | #4423 | — |
The Story of Alhaji
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2001, Alhaji is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Alhaji are most likely born between 1991 and 2011.
How rare is Alhaji?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Alhaji is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1979, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 88 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Alhaji by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(27 years, 1979–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | #10872 |
| 2020 | 7 | #9607 |
| 2019 | 7 | #9806 |
| 2018 | 7 | #9716 |
| 2017 | 6 | #10838 |
| 2015 | 8 | #8775 |
| 2014 | 5 | #12187 |
| 2013 | 5 | #12212 |
| 2011 | 6 | #10857 |
| 2010 | 8 | #8835 |
| 2009 | 7 | #9901 |
| 2008 | 7 | #9901 |
| 2007 | 11 | #7114 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6240 |
| 2004 | 12 | #6147 |
| 2003 | 10 | #6733 |
| 2002 | 10 | #6544 |
| 2001 | 19 | #4128 |
| 1999 | 8 | #7167 |
| 1998 | 5 | #9673 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alhaji a boy's or girl's name?
When was Alhaji most popular?
How popular is the name Alhaji?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1979–2023