Ali
A male given name from the root ʿ-l-w meaning 'high, elevated, exalted'. Among the most widespread Arabic names.
- Root
- ʿ-l-w (ع-ل-و)
- Gender
- Male
- Meaning
- High, exalted
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning and root
Ali derives from the triliteral root ʿ-l-w (ع-ل-و), 'to be high, to rise'. The form ʿalī is an intensive adjective: 'lofty, exalted, of high standing'.
Usage
Borne by ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, the fourth caliph, which accounts for the name's great popularity across the Arab and Muslim worlds. It appears in many compounds and derived family names.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ali mean?
It means 'high, elevated, exalted', from the root ʿ-l-w ('to be high').
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: علو
Last reviewed: 2026-07-09