How to say it
ka · LI · yah
/kəˈliː.ə/
Feminine
Kaliyah
Exalted, sublime
What it means
A variant of Aaliyah, from the Arabic for 'exalted' or 'sublime,' spelled with a K.
Kaliyah is a K-spelling in the Aaliyah family, from the Arabic for 'exalted' or 'sublime.' It blends the popular Kali- opening with the lifted -iyah ending, landing soft and modern. It is especially well used in African American naming, part of the same melodic wave as Aaliyah and Amaya. Said kuh-LEE-uh.
Popularity over time
peaked at #392 in 2025, currently #392 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
In the Aaliyah family; also spelled Kaliya.
- Pronunciation
kuh-LEE-uh.
Spelling variants
- Aaliyah
- Kaliya
- Kalia