علي

Aliou

boyWest African form of Arabic ʿAlī

Aliou is a Muslim boy name meaning “High, exalted”.

MeaningHigh, exalted
GenderBoy
OriginWest African form of Arabic ʿAlī
Arabic spellingعلي
PronunciationAH-lee-oo
Arabic rootع ل و (ʿ-l-w) — to be high, exalted
Muslim name?Islamic / Arabic name

Meaning and origin of Aliou

Aliou is the West African form of ʿAlī, 'high' or 'exalted', with the final -ou typical of Fula and Wolof. ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law and the fourth caliph. Senegalese football coach Aliou Cissé is a well-known bearer.

Is Aliou a Muslim name?

Yes. Aliou is a Muslim name, the West African form of ʿAlī, the fourth caliph.

Is Aliou in the Quran?

Its root gives the divine name in 'He is the Most High (al-ʿAliyy), the Most Great' (Quran 2:255).

Where is the name Aliou used?

Common in Senegal, Guinea, Mali and the Gambia.

Gifts with the name Aliou

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Spellings and variants of Aliou

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More boy names like Aliou

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Aliou mean?

Aliou means 'High, exalted'. It comes from West African form of Arabic ʿAlī.

Is Aliou a Muslim name?

Yes. Aliou is a Muslim name, the West African form of ʿAlī, the fourth caliph.

How do you write Aliou in Arabic?

Aliou is written علي in Arabic script.

How do you pronounce Aliou?

Aliou is pronounced AH-lee-oo.

Is Aliou mentioned in the Quran?

Its root gives the divine name in 'He is the Most High (al-ʿAliyy), the Most Great' (Quran 2:255).

Updated October 2026 · Researched by the Modern Muslim Names team. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.