Alaiya is a modern American spelling of Alaya and Aaliyah, usually traced to the Arabic 'aliya, "exalted" or "sublime"; the Sanskrit alaya, "dwelling", is another reading. The -aiya ending gives the name a flowing, four-vowel sound. Alaiya entered the US top 1000 in 2019, peaked at number 721 in 2021 and ranks number 792 in 2025.