b babynamesuggestion
Menu

Your Shortlist

0 names saved

Al

Quick answerAl is a common prefix and standalone name meaning "the" in Arabic, derived from the Arabic definite article "al-," though it also functions as a shortened form of names like Albert or Alfred in Germanic contexts.

English · Boy · 1 syllable

A
Rare

Popularity & facts

Relative popularity index, 2010–2025
GenderBoy
US Rank#6,822
TrendFalling ↓
Peak year1959
Syllables1
OriginEnglish
LanguageEnglish
CultureEnglish
ReligionIslam
Letters2
Numerology4 Chaldean 4
Global rank#390

Popularity over time

Popularity index
Hover the line to see any year. 100 = most popular.

Historical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data

About the name Al

Al is a common prefix and standalone name meaning "the" in Arabic, derived from the Arabic definite article "al-," though it also functions as a shortened form of names like Albert or Alfred in Germanic contexts.

Cross-referenced with Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.

Etymology

Al is a common prefix and standalone name meaning "the" in Arabic, derived from the Arabic definite article "al-," though it also functions as a shortened form of names like Albert or Alfred in Germanic contexts. It is primarily used in Arabic-speaking and Islamic cultures, with widespread adoption across Middle Eastern, North African, and Muslim diaspora communities, though it also appears in Western cultures as a diminutive or standalone given name.

Al currently ranks #6,822 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1959.

Variants & nicknames

Contribute to this name

Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.

Login to contribute

We use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.

AdvertisementAd — responsive (after data block)

Sibling name ideas

English names that sit beautifully beside Al

Similar names you might like

Names starting with A

Names that sound like Al

Phonetic match, not just spelling
Ali
Unisex Arabic

"Ali derives from Arabic "aliy", meaning "elevated" or "exalted." Ali ibn Abi Talib, a cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet…"

Global rank #9 View name
Ayla
Girl Hebrew

"Ayla means "halo" or "light" and derives from Turkish and Hebrew linguistic roots, with the Turkish form stemming from "ay"…"

Global rank #26 View name
Aila
Girl Finnish

"Aila means "light" or "brightness" and derives from the Arabic root عيل (ayl) or Hebrew origins meaning "deer" or "gazelle,"…"

Global rank #49 View name
Alya
Girl Arabic

"The name Alya derives from Arabic roots, with meanings including "high," "elevated," or "sublime," connected to the Arabic word "aliyy"…"

Global rank #53 View name
Alaya
Unisex English (Modern)

"The name 'Alaya' primarily means "sublime" or "exalted" in Sanskrit, derived from the root *ā-* (toward) and *laya* (rest or…"

Global rank #57 View name
Alaia
Unisex Basque

"Alaia means "noble" or "joyful" and derives from the Basque language, where it carries connotations of brightness and elevation."

Global rank #61 View name
Aaliyah
Unisex Arabic

"Aaliyah derives from the Arabic name Aliyah (علياء), meaning "exalted," "high," or "sublime," from the root word 'aliya' meaning to…"

Global rank #70 View name
Alea
Girl English (Rare)

"The name Alea derives from Latin "alea," meaning "dice" or "chance," and is rooted in the concept of gambling or…"

Global rank #83 View name
Aliya
Girl Arabic

"Aliya derives from Arabic "aliy", meaning "exalted", "high", or "noble.""

Global rank #117 View name
Aliyah
Unisex Arabic

"Aliyah derives from the Arabic word "ʿaliyya" (عليا), meaning "exalted," "highest," or "sublime," rooted in the verb "ʿalā" meaning "to…"

Global rank #119 View name
Ailo
Boy Scandinavian

"The given name 'Ailo' is derived from the Old Norse word 'Áiló', meaning 'beauty' or 'radiance', and is related to…"

Global rank #178 View name
Auli
Girl Finnish

"Auli derives from Sanskrit and means "court" or "palace," rooted in the Sanskrit word *aula*."

Global rank #181 View name
AdvertisementAd — between sections

Names trending right now

Rising names for Boys

Help us make this better for every parent

Found a mistake · Know a name we’re missing · Have a different or better meaning for a name · Any question or recommendation — your insight helps families worldwide choose with confidence.

Share your feedback →
Scroll to Top
Follow & Connect