[1] In 2007, an increase in usage was attributed to the fame of the American pop singer Aaliyah (1979–2001).
[2] In Hebrew, aaliyah (also commonly transliterated as aliyah) means "ascent," "rising," or "going up."
[3] The word is often used to refer to the calling of a member of a Jewish congregation up to the bimah for a segment of the formal Torah reading.
[4] It may also refer to the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to the geographical Land of Israel (i.e. "making aliyah").
[6] Variations of the name, including Alia, Aliya, Aleah, and Alya, can be found across cultures.