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Ariadne

♀ Girl

Pronounced air-ee-AD-nee /ˌɛər.iˈæd.ni/High

Meaning: Most holy; very pure; from Greek ari (very, most) + adnos (holy, pure) — the original Greek form of AriadnaMedium

In 30 seconds: The original Greek form of Ariadna, meaning 'most holy.' Princess of Crete who gave Theseus the thread to escape the Labyrinth — and in doing so gave English the word 'clue.' Both spellings appear in 2024 U.S. data.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningMost holy; very pure; from Greek ari (very, most) + adnos (holy, pure) — the original Greek form of Ariadna

U.S. rank (2024)#1258 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births184 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,708

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Ariadne is the original Greek spelling of what appears in Spanish as Ariadna. In Greek mythology, Ariadne helped Theseus escape the Labyrinth using a ball of thread (clue), then was abandoned by him on Naxos and rescued by Dionysus.

Ariadne ranked #1258 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? After Theseus abandoned Ariadne on Naxos, the god Dionysus found her there and married her, giving her a crown of stars that became the constellation Corona Borealis. So Ariadne ended not as a victim but as a goddess's bride and an immortal constellation.

Overall data confidence 85%

Behind the Name — Ariadne — Greek mythology etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AriadnaArianna

Nicknames

AriAddieNee

Famous Bearers

★Ariadne (mythological)
Cretan princess in Greek mythology who helped Theseus escape the Labyrinth. Abandoned on Naxos, she was found by Dionysus, who married her and set her crown among the stars.

If you like Ariadne…

Ariadna— the Spanish/Catalan form of the same Greek name

Ariana— four-syllable Ar- name with the same mythological feel

Adriana— four-syllable -ana ending name in the same romantic tradition

Cressida— Greek mythological name with the same ancient narrative depth

Calypso— Greek mythological feminine name with the same classical resonance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ariadne mean?

Ariadne means 'most holy' from Greek ari (very) + adnos (holy). She is the Cretan princess who helped Theseus escape the Labyrinth.

How do you pronounce Ariadne?

It's said air-ee-AD-nee — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Ariadne a boy or girl name?

Ariadne is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Ariadne?

Ariadne ranked #1258 for U.S. girls in 2024.