Taaliyah
A girl's name of Arabic origin with 269 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Fewer than 269 Americans have ever been named Taaliyah. It first appeared in SSA records in 1998 and peaked modestly at 31 births in 2002 — rare enough to be distinctive, with just enough history to feel grounded.
In the most recent SSA release, Taaliyah ranks #17353 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Taaliyah is a girl's baby name of Arabic origin, a variant of the beloved name Aaliyah — from the Arabic aliyya, meaning 'exalted,' 'noble,' or 'high.' The T- prefix creates a distinctive variant that carries the same lofty meaning.
Taaliyah shares all of Aaliyah's soaring aspiration while wearing its own unique spelling — a name for a child whose parents believe she is destined to rise.
EtymologyShow more
Taaliyah first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1998. First appearing in the 1990s, Taaliyah emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Arabic classification suggests a path from arabic linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Taaliyah was #8201 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #17353, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 28 | #14233 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 87 | #11652 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 140 | #9635 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 14 | #12580 | — |
The Story of Taaliyah
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2002, Taaliyah is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Taaliyah are most likely born between 1998 and 2012.
How rare is Taaliyah?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Taaliyah — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1998, peaked in the 2000s with 140 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Taaliyah by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(25 years, 1998–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #17353 |
| 2023 | 5 | #17339 |
| 2021 | 10 | #10217 |
| 2020 | 8 | #12024 |
| 2019 | 8 | #12331 |
| 2018 | 6 | #15463 |
| 2017 | 13 | #8730 |
| 2016 | 10 | #10771 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9424 |
| 2013 | 8 | #13025 |
| 2012 | 14 | #8580 |
| 2011 | 8 | #13218 |
| 2010 | 8 | #13328 |
| 2009 | 13 | #9331 |
| 2008 | 8 | #13681 |
| 2007 | 21 | #6524 |
| 2006 | 10 | #11322 |
| 2005 | 6 | #16216 |
| 2004 | 14 | #8201 |
| 2003 | 14 | #7950 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taaliyah a boy's or girl's name?
When was Taaliyah most popular?
How popular is the name Taaliyah?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1998–2024