Houdhoud, the hoopoe

A Name Story by Houdhoud

عَلِيّ

Ali

AH-lee

Elevated, noble, exalted.”

About Ali

Ali is a Muslim baby boy's name meaning "elevated, noble, exalted" — an Arabic name carried for centuries across the Muslim world.

From the Arabic root ع-ل-و. Borne by Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet ﷺ, the fourth Rashidun Caliph.

Universally honored, especially in Shia families.

Origin & roots

Origin

Arabic

Gender

Boy

Root letters

ع ل وʿ-L-W

In Arabic, root letters are the seed that gives a word its meaning. Every word built from them inherits that family of meaning — and Ali is one such word.

Across history

Who has carried Ali before.

  • Ali ibn Abi Talib (601–661 CE), 4th Rashidun Caliph

How to say it

AH·lee

Stressed syllable in capitals

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Ali: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Origin · Houdhoud