Ally
Say it: AL-ee/ˈæliː/
GirlMeans a pet form of Alice, Alison, Alexandra and similar names4 letters2 syllables
#483
in Ireland (2025)
#473 with spellings combined
7
babies in 2025
#180
best rank (2001)
358
babies since 1999
Down 157
10-year rank change
Ally through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #473 |
| 2024 | 11 | #341 |
| 2023 | 9 | #394 |
| 2022 | 10 | #384 |
| 2021 | 12 | #339 |
| 2020 | 13 | #313 |
| 2019 | 12 | #344 |
| 2018 | 5 | #614 |
| 2017 | 9 | #432 |
| 2016 | 15 | #303 |
| 2015 | 15 | #316 |
| 2014 | 16 | #304 |
| 2013 | 12 | #376 |
| 2012 | 12 | #399 |
| 2011 | 7 | #554 |
| 2010 | 15 | #333 |
| 2009 | 19 | #263 |
| 2008 | 17 | #291 |
| 2007 | 17 | #267 |
| 2006 | 17 | #247 |
| 2005 | 23 | #188 |
| 2004 | 13 | #272 |
| 2003 | 14 | #247 |
| 2002 | 15 | #238 |
| 2001 | 22 | #180 |
| 2000 | 11 | #269 |
| 1999 | 10 | #267 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Ally mean?
A pet form of Alice, Alison, Alexandra and similar names
English, a pet form of names beginning with Al-.
Say it right
ALee
The story of Ally
Ally began as a pet form of longer names beginning with Al-, such as Alice, Alison and Alexandra. It has been used this way for a long time, and for boys it has served as a nickname for Alan, Alexander and Alfred. Its meaning depends on the longer name behind it. It sounds just like the English word ally, a friend or supporter, though the name did not come from that word.
In Ireland Ally is used as a full name for girls. It first reached the list in 1999 and was at its best in the early 2000s. It reached number 180 in 2001, and its biggest year was 2005, when 23 girls were named Ally. It has been quieter since, with 7 girls in 2025. The CSO counts Allie separately, and Allie is now the more common of the two. Ally has always been rare in Northern Ireland.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Ally (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Ally (name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Ally | 7 | 358 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #248 (2003); 8 babies since 2003.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.