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Arielle

♀ Girl

Pronounced air-ee-EL /ˌɛr.iˈɛl/High

Meaning: French feminine elaboration of Ariel, from Hebrew 'ari el' meaning 'lion of God' or 'altar of God'; the -elle suffix adds a French feminine form to the Hebrew angelic nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Arielle is the feminine French form of the Hebrew name Ariel, meaning 'lion of God.' Combining spiritual strength with French elegance, it has become a beautiful choice for girls who want something mythic yet refined.
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Origin HighHebrew, French
MeaningFrench feminine elaboration of Ariel, from Hebrew 'ari el' meaning 'lion of God' or 'altar of God'; the -elle suffix adds a French feminine form to the Hebrew angelic name
U.S. rank (2025)#486 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births618 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1991
Total births (all-time)≈ 30,868

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199119622025

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

History & Origin

Arielle is a feminine French form of Ariel, from the Hebrew ari el, meaning 'lion of God' or 'altar of God.' Ariel appears in the Hebrew Bible (Ezra 8:16) and in Shakespeare's The Tempest as a spirit of the air. The -elle French suffix was added to create a distinctly feminine form used in French-speaking and Jewish communities.

Arielle has been used in French-speaking countries and Jewish communities for several decades. In the United States it gained particular visibility through the Little Mermaid franchise and through the broader appeal of the -elle feminine suffix. It ranks in the U.S. girls' top 400.

Did you know? The Little Mermaid character is officially named Ariel, but the Arielle spelling used in some international versions adds the French feminine -elle ending — giving the already magical name an extra layer of elegance that many parents have embraced.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Ariel — etymology for the Ariel/Arielle familyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ArielAriellaAriela

Nicknames

AriElleAria

Famous Bearers

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If you like Arielle…

Ariel— the standard Hebrew form of the same name
Ariella— the Hebrew feminine form with the same root and similar sound
Gabrielle— shares the French -elle ending and the Hebrew origin
Isabelle— shares the four-syllable French elegance and the -elle feminine suffix

Frequently Asked

What does Arielle mean?

Arielle means 'lion of God' or 'altar of God,' from the Hebrew 'ari el.' It is the French feminine form of Ariel, adding the -elle suffix.

How do you pronounce Arielle?

Arielle is pronounced air-ee-EL /ˌɛr.iˈɛl/ — three syllables with stress on the third.

Is Arielle different from Ariel?

Arielle adds the French feminine -elle suffix to the Hebrew Ariel, making it more distinctly feminine in appearance and sound.

Is Arielle a popular girls' name?

Arielle has been growing in the U.S. and is popular in French-speaking countries and Jewish communities, valued for its spiritual meaning and French elegance.