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Arianna

♀ Girl

Pronounced air-ee-AN-uh /ˌɛər.iˈæn.ə/High

Meaning: Most holy, very holy — Italian/Greek form of Ariadne, from Greek Ariadnē, possibly from ari- (very, most) + adnos or hagnos (holy, pure)Medium

In 30 seconds: An Italian elaboration of the Greek Ariadne, Arianna may mean 'most holy' and carries the myth of the Cretan princess who helped Theseus escape the Labyrinth. Melodic, romantic, and enduringly popular.

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Origin MediumGreek, Italian

MeaningMost holy, very holy — Italian/Greek form of Ariadne, from Greek Ariadnē, possibly from ari- (very, most) + adnos or hagnos (holy, pure)

Peak year2014

Total births (all-time)≈ 88,171

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Arianna is the Italian form of the Greek Ariadnē, a name from Greek mythology. Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos of Crete who helped Theseus slay the Minotaur. The etymology is debated: some link it to Greek ari- (very, most) and a root meaning 'holy' or 'pure'; others propose Cretan pre-Greek origins. The Italian spelling Arianna is the most common modern form.

Arianna has been popular in Italy for centuries and became popular in the United States in the 1990s and 2000s, entering the top 100 girls' names. Variations include Ariana (one n), which gained huge cultural prominence through pop star Ariana Grande. Arianna (double n) remains in common use alongside the single-n form.

Did you know? In Greek mythology, Ariadne gave Theseus the famous 'clew' (ball of thread) that allowed him to navigate the Labyrinth, kill the Minotaur, and find his way out — the origin of our word 'clue.' After Theseus abandoned her on Naxos, the god Dionysus fell in love with her and made her his immortal wife.

Variations

ArianaAriadneArianne

Nicknames

AriAnnaArie

Famous Bearers

★Ariana Grande (b. 1993)
American pop singer and one of the world's best-selling music artists; her spelling is Ariana (one n).

If you like Arianna…

Ariella— feminine Hebrew elaboration with the same four-syllable lyrical quality

Frequently Asked

What does the name Arianna mean?

Arianna is an Italian form of the Greek Ariadne; its meaning is uncertain but traditionally given as 'most holy' or 'very holy' from Greek ari- (very) and a root for holy.

How do you pronounce Arianna?

Arianna is pronounced air-ee-AN-uh /ˌɛər.iˈæn.ə/ — four syllables with stress on the third.

Is Arianna a boy or girl name?

Arianna is a girls' name.

How popular is Arianna?

Arianna has been in the U.S. top 100 girls' names since the 1990s, with the related Ariana (one n) also very popular through singer Ariana Grande.