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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ariella

Ariella

♀ Girl

Pronounced air-ee-EL-uh /ˌɛər.iˈɛl.ə/High

Meaning: Lion of God — feminine diminutive of Ariel, from Hebrew ariel (lion of God), from ari (lion) + el (God)High

In 30 seconds: A feminine diminutive of Ariel, Ariella means 'lion of God' from Hebrew. It combines the bold strength of its lion root with a flowing, romantic four-syllable musicality.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningLion of God — feminine diminutive of Ariel, from Hebrew ariel (lion of God), from ari (lion) + el (God)
U.S. rank (2025)#174 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births1,756 girls (0.11% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 22,358

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202019672025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ariella is a feminine diminutive form of Ariel, from Hebrew ariel, meaning 'lion of God' — composed of ari (lion) and el (God). Ariel appears in the Bible as an epithet for Jerusalem and as a character name in various texts. The -ella suffix feminizes and elongates the name, creating a romantic four-syllable form.

Ariella has gained significant popularity in the United States in the 2010s, entering the top 200 girls' names. It benefits from the popularity of both Ariel (boosted by The Little Mermaid, 1989) and the -ella suffix trend (Isabella, Arabella, Annabella). It is particularly popular in Jewish communities where the Hebrew meaning resonates.

Did you know? Ariel is used in the Hebrew Bible as another name for Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:1) — 'lion of God' serving as a title for the holy city. The name's association with both fierce strength and sacred significance gives Ariella unusual depth for a name also known through Disney's Little Mermaid.

Variations

ArielAriela

Nicknames

AriEllaArie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Ariella Käslin (b. 1987)
    Swiss artistic gymnast who competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics and became European Champion on vault in 2009, named Swiss Sportswoman of the Year three times

If you like Ariella…

Arabella— four-syllable -ella name with the same romantic, musical elegance
Gabriella— Hebrew-rooted -ella name with the same divine meaning structure (strong feminine name of God)
Ariela— another Hebrew name
Annabella— echoes that soft -la sound
Aribella— shares Ariella's Hebrew roots

Explore names like Ariella

By meaningGod / DivineLion

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ariella mean?

Ariella is a feminine form of Ariel, from Hebrew ariel meaning 'lion of God,' from ari (lion) and el (God).

How do you pronounce Ariella?

Ariella is pronounced air-ee-EL-uh /ˌɛər.iˈɛl.ə/ — four syllables with stress on the third.

Is Ariella a boy or girl name?

Ariella is a girls' name.

How popular is Ariella?

Ariella entered the U.S. top 200 girls' names in the 2010s and continues to grow.

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