Ali is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #144 in 2022 with 384 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2025 with 502 births ranking #103. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 76.1%. In 2022, approximately 1 in every 741 boys born was named Ali. RISING Recent data shows the name is currently rising.
Ali is a classic Arabic name meaning "high" or "exalted". It is short, strong, and deeply rooted in Islamic history.
The name is especially significant because of Ali ibn Abi Talib, a central figure in early Islam. It has remained widely used across many Muslim communities and languages.