Ariel: Meaning, Origin, and Popularity
Meaning lion of God in Hebrew, Ariel soars between the biblical and the magical, equally at home in scripture and Shakespeare.
Ariel as a Unisex Name
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Syllables
- 3
- Current rank
- #180
- Peak
- #66 in 1991
Trend: Falling, easing off its high over the latest decade.
Popularity over time
Lower rank = more popular (rank 1 is the most popular name)
What Ariel Means
Ariel is a unisex name of Hebrew origin. Meaning lion of God in Hebrew, Ariel soars between the biblical and the magical, equally at home in scripture and Shakespeare.
How Popular Ariel Is
Ariel currently ranks #180 among name for any genders in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #66 in 1991. It has been easing off its high.
Good to Know About Ariel
- Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989) transformed Ariel from a boys' name to a girls' favorite.
- In Shakespeare's The Tempest, Ariel is a magical spirit of the air.
- In Hebrew tradition, Ariel is an alternate name for the city of Jerusalem.
Ariel as a Girl Name
- Origin
- English
- Syllables
- 3
- Current rank
- #200
- Peak
- #66 in 1991
Trend: Steady, holding a similar rank across the latest decade.
Popularity over time
Lower rank = more popular (rank 1 is the most popular name)
What Ariel Means
Ariel is a girl name of English origin. A lion of God, spirited and free.
How Popular Ariel Is
Ariel currently ranks #200 among girl names in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #66 in 1991. It has held steady.
Good to Know About Ariel
- Ariel broke into the top 100 baby names in the U.S., reaching #66 in 1991.
- Ariel has been a top 100 name across 169+ years of American history.
- Ariel is a name from the English-speaking tradition.
- It has literary connections that bookish parents love.
Ariel as a Boy Name
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Syllables
- 3
- Current rank
- #565
- Peak
- #360 in 1991
Trend: Steady, holding a similar rank across the latest decade.
Popularity over time
Lower rank = more popular (rank 1 is the most popular name)
What Ariel Means
Ariel is a boy name of Hebrew origin. Lion of God, a name of majestic strength and celestial beauty.
How Popular Ariel Is
Ariel currently ranks #565 among boy names in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #360 in 1991. It has held steady.
Good to Know About Ariel
- Ariel peaked at #360 in the U.S. in 1991.
- Ariel is a name with deep biblical and Jewish roots.
- It's part of the celestial naming trend inspired by the sky and stars.
Names Like Ariel
Other Hebrew names that start with the same letter or share a style.
Sibling Names for Ariel
Hebrew names that pair well as a brother or sister to Ariel.
Questions About Ariel
What does Ariel mean?
Ariel is a unisex name of Hebrew origin. Meaning lion of God in Hebrew, Ariel soars between the biblical and the magical, equally at home in scripture and Shakespeare.
How popular is Ariel?
Ariel currently ranks #180 among name for any genders in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #66 in 1991. It has been easing off its high.
Where does Ariel come from?
Ariel comes from Hebrew roots. Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989) transformed Ariel from a boys' name to a girls' favorite.
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