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Ali

Boy / Girl name · 722 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ali: 722 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 34 births in 2025.

The name Ali has deep roots in Arabic, where it means "exalted," "noble," or "sublime," and is closely tied to Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, making it one of the most revered names in Islam. Among famous bearers, you'll find the legendary American boxer Muhammad Ali, originally Cassius Clay, who brought global renown to the name, and Ali MacGraw, the iconic American actress of *Love Story* fame. While the name is widespread across the Middle East and Asia, it also appears in Scotland as a familiar short form of Alison, Alexander, or Alistair—distinct roots entirely. Notably, in Turkish, Ali is also a common given name, reflecting its broad appeal across cultures, and in Scotland it has been a steady, if modest, presence in baby name records since the 1970s.