Waliyah first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Waliyah has been for the last 13 years (from 2009 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Waliyah

A feminine Arabic name meaning "woman in authority" or "guardian".

Popularity of Waliyah by gender

Based on the last 13 years of data, Waliyah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 11 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Waliyah.

Year Male Count Female Count
2021 0 11
2019 0 5
2009 0 5

The history of the first name Waliyah

The name Waliyah is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "wali," which means "friend" or "protector." It is a feminine name that has been used in various Islamic cultures and regions since ancient times.

The earliest recorded use of the name Waliyah can be traced back to the 7th century, during the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. It was a popular name among Arab families, often given to daughters with the hope that they would grow up to be pious and devoted friends of Allah.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Waliyah was Waliyah bint al-Husayn, a renowned Islamic scholar and poet who lived in the 8th century. She was the granddaughter of the renowned Islamic leader, Husayn ibn Ali, and was known for her knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and her poetic works.

Another notable figure with the name Waliyah was Waliyah bint al-Abbas, a princess of the Abbasid Caliphate who lived in the 9th century. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support for the advancement of education and cultural pursuits during her time.

In the 11th century, Waliyah bint Ahmad al-Bataihiah was a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist from Andalusia, Spain. She was respected for her knowledge of Islamic law and her contributions to the field of Islamic jurisprudence.

The name Waliyah also appears in various Islamic texts and religious scriptures, such as the Quran and Hadith, where it is used as a descriptive term for those who are close to Allah and follow the righteous path.

Throughout history, the name Waliyah has been carried by various notable figures, including poets, scholars, and princesses, reflecting its association with piety, devotion, and intellectual pursuits within Islamic cultures.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Waliyah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Waliyah, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Waliyah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 15, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/waliyah-meaning-and-history/.

"Waliyah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/waliyah-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 15 October, 2025

Waliyah first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/waliyah-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.