Aliou
Meaningexalted · Wolof
Aliou is an African boy name meaning “exalted”, with Wolof roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Aliou has the name Ali hiding inside it.
- GenerationAliou is having its moment right now. Most Alious are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Aliou would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 188,679 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryAliou first shows up in US birth records in 1998, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 27 years since.
US births per million boys, 1998–2025
Similar names
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Aliou
Aliou is a boy name of African origin meaning “exalted”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:African names
More African boy names
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Boy name: Omari · long-lived
- Boy name: Ermias · form of Jeremiah
- Boy name: Jabari · brave, fearless
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
Questions about the name Aliou
What does the name Aliou mean?
Aliou means “exalted” and comes from Wolof. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Aaron (“possibly exalted”), Ali (“exalted, lofty”), Aron (“possibly exalted”) and Abram (“exalted father”).
What is the origin of the name Aliou?
Aliou is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Wolof. Other African names to consider are Cairo (“the victorious”), Asa (“healer”), Zaire (“river”) and Omari (“long-lived”).
Is Aliou a boy or girl name?
Aliou is a boy name. In 2025, 9 US boys were named Aliou.
How popular is the name Aliou?
Aliou ranked #8,243 for US boys in 2025, given to 9 babies. Its best year was 2020, when it reached #6,620. Over the last five years it has slipped 1,623 places.
What names are similar to Aliou?
If you like Aliou, you might also like Aaron, Ali, Aron and Abram.
What should I know before naming my baby Aliou?
Aliou is an African boy name meaning “exalted”, with Wolof roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.