Hebrew Girl Names That Mean Lion
Hebrew girl names that mean lion nearly all trace to one root — ari, lion — fused with El, God, in names like Ariel and Ariella.
Names75
OriginHebrew
MeaningLion
GenderGirl
In Hebrew, ari means lion and El means God — combine them and you get Ariel, 'lion of God,' one of the oldest theophoric names in the language. Ariella, Arielle, and Ariela all build on that same root, each adding a feminine ending from a different era or language tradition.
Not every name on this list is a straight lion translation, though. Ari stands as a lion name and doubles as a nickname for Ariel and other names in the same family. Ariyah and Ariah lean on that same lioness reading through Aria, while Araya and Lea only touch it as a secondary, less certain thread.
How Hebrew girl names that mean lion trend today
Among Hebrew girl names that mean lion, the pattern right now favors the newer forms over the original. Ariella, Arielle, and Ariela are all climbing, while the shorter Ariel and Ari are slipping — parents seem to want the extra syllables and softer landing of -ella and -elle.
Where the lion sound leads outside Hebrew
The ari sound reaches beyond a single tradition. Ari doubles as an Old Norse name meaning eagle; Araya carries a separate life as a Thai word for a beautiful forest; Ariya descends from the Sanskrit arya, 'noble'; and Analeia is a modern blend of Ana and Leia with no ancient root at all. Arely, meanwhile, is Hebrew but means heroic rather than lion.
Names List
Aria#26 in the U.S.Song; melody; air; a solo vocal piece in opera or classical musicPronounced AHR-ee-uh▶Ariella#174 in the U.S.Lion of God — feminine diminutive of Ariel, from Hebrew ariel (lion of God), from ari (lion) + el (God)Pronounced air-ee-EL-uh▶Ariel#356 in the U.S.From Hebrew Ariel, composed of 'ari' (lion) and 'El' (God), meaning 'lion of God'. In the Bible, Ariel isPronounced AIR-ee-el▶Ariyah#367 in the U.S.A spelling variant of Ariya or Aria, possibly from Hebrew Ariyah (lioness of God, from ari = lion, yah = Pronounced ah-RY-ah▶Arielle#486 in the U.S.French feminine elaboration of Ariel, from Hebrew 'ari el' meaning 'lion of God' or 'altar of God'; the -Pronounced air-ee-EL▶Analeia#514 in the U.S.Modern American blend combining Ana (from Hebrew Hannah meaning 'grace' or 'favor') and Leia (from Greek Pronounced ah-nah-LAY-ah▶Ari#614 in the U.S.Lion; from Hebrew ariPronounced AH-ree▶Ariya#615 in the U.S.Variant of Aria or Arya, from Sanskrit arya meaning 'noble,' 'honorable,' or 'one of good quality'; also Pronounced ar-EE-yah▶Ariah#636 in the U.S.Variant of Aria, from the Hebrew ariel ('lion of God') or the Italian musical term aria ('air,' 'song'). Pronounced ah-RY-uh▶Lea#848 in the U.S.Variant of Leah, from the Hebrew le'ah meaning 'weary' or 'delicate cow'; also related to the Old EnglishPronounced LEE-uh▶Arely#984 in the U.S.Variant of Areli, from Hebrew meaning heroic or valiant, or connected to the word ari meaning lion; in thPronounced ah-REL-ee▶Araya#1075 in the U.S.Lioness (Hebrew ari, lion + feminine -aya suffix); also a Thai name meaning beautiful forest or noblePronounced uh-RAY-uh▶Ariela#1138 in the U.S.Lion of God; feminine form of Ariel, from Hebrew ari (lion) + el (God)Pronounced air-ee-EL-uh▶Areli#1422 in the U.S.Lion of God; angel of the first heavenPronounced ah-REH-lee▶Aariyah#3565 in the U.S.Double-a spelling in the Aaliyah/Ariah family — linked to Arabic aliyah, 'exalted', or Hebrew Ariah, 'lioPronounced ah-REE-ə▶Aryiah#3752 in the U.S.Modern y-and-h spelling of Aria/Ariah — Italian aria, 'air, melody', or Hebrew ari, 'lion(ess)'Pronounced AR-ee-ah▶Judah#3772 in the U.S.From Hebrew Yehudah, 'praised' — the patriarch whose tribe carried the lion emblem; here used for girlsPronounced JOO-dah▶Arella#4377 in the U.S.From Hebrew ar'el/arella, 'angel, messenger of God; lion of God'Pronounced ə-REL-ah▶Azlyn#4382 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining Az- (echoing Aslan 'lion', or Azaria 'helped by God') to the -lyn ending; no singlPronounced AZ-lin▶Rielle#4436 in the U.S.Modern coinage echoing Ariel/Arielle ('lion of God') with a Ri-/-elle styling; no single fixed rootPronounced ree-EL▶Ariely#4468 in the U.S.Latina elaboration of Ariel — Hebrew ari-el, 'lion of God' — with a -y endingPronounced ah-ree-EH-lee▶Arayla#5022 in the U.S.Modern coinage echoing Ariel/Arella ('lioness of God', Hebrew) and the -ayla names (Kayla, Layla); no sinPronounced ə-RAY-lah▶Ariellah#5023 in the U.S.-llah spelling of Ariella — feminine of Ariel, from Hebrew, 'lion/lioness of God; altar hearth of God'Pronounced ar-ee-EL-ah▶Ary#5156 in the U.S.A modern short form — of Aria ('air/melody'), Ariel ('lion of God'), or Arya ('noble'); here for girls; rPronounced AIR-ee▶Erielle#5178 in the U.S.Modern coinage echoing Ariel/Arielle ('lion of God', Hebrew) and Erie/Eri; no single fixed rootPronounced air-ee-EL▶Riella#5394 in the U.S.Modern coinage with a Ri- opening and -ella ending (echoing Ariella, 'lioness of God', and Gabriella); noPronounced ree-EL-ah▶Arielly#6173 in the U.S.A Brazilian feminine elaboration of Ariel — from Hebrew Ariel, 'a lion of God; the altar/hearth of God'Pronounced ah-ree-EL-ee▶Aryella#6176 in the U.S.A -y- spelling of Ariella — the feminine of Ariel, from Hebrew, 'a lion/lioness of God; the altar of God'Pronounced ah-ree-EL-ah▶Arriyah#6394 in the U.S.A spelling of Aria/Ariyah — variously 'a melody, an air' (Italian), 'a lioness' (Hebrew aryeh echo), and Pronounced ə-REE-ah▶Karielle#6491 in the U.S.A modern name joining Kari (a Norse/Scandinavian name, also a pet of Katherine, 'pure') with the -elle/-iPronounced kar-ee-EL▶Aryelle#6643 in the U.S.An elaborated spelling of Ariel — from Hebrew Ariel, 'lion of God'; the -elle ending feminizes itPronounced ar-ee-EL▶Arelis#6944 in the U.S.A modern Latina name, variously echoing Areli (Hebrew, 'lion of God; heroic') and a -lis ending; routes lPronounced ah-REH-lees▶Arielys#7257 in the U.S.A Puerto Rican elaboration of Ariel — from Hebrew, 'lion of God' — with a fashionable -lys ending; routesPronounced ah-ree-EH-lees▶Arielis#7608 in the U.S.A Puerto Rican elaboration of Ariel — from Hebrew, 'lion of God' — with a fashionable -lis ending; routesPronounced ah-ree-EH-lees▶Eriel#7684 in the U.S.A modern name, variously a feminine of Ariel ('lion of God', Hebrew) and a coinage; no single fixed root;Pronounced EHR-ee-el▶Ahria#7948 in the U.S.A spelling of Aria/Ariah — variously Italian, 'a melody; a song; air', Persian, 'noble', and a feminine oPronounced AR-ee-ah▶Illianna#8108 in the U.S.A spelling of Iliana/Iliana — variously a form of Eliana ('my God has answered', Hebrew) and 'of Ilion (TPronounced il-ee-AH-nah▶Ariyel#8521 in the U.S.Ariyel is a phonetic respelling of Ariel, the Hebrew Ari'el, from ari, 'lion,' and el, 'God' - 'lion of GPronounced AR-ee-el▶Aerial#8930 in the U.S.A spelling of Ariel — from the Hebrew, 'lion of God' (ari, 'lion', + el, 'God'); also influenced by the EPronounced AIR-ee-el▶Avrielle#8995 in the U.S.A form of Avriel/Ariel with the -elle ending — from the Hebrew Ari'el, 'lion(ess) of God'; routes layeredPronounced av-ree-EL▶Aariel#9564 in the U.S.Aariel is a doubled-A spelling of Ariel, a Hebrew name meaning 'lion of God'. In the Bible Ariel is a poePronounced AIR-ee-el▶Lev#10699 in the U.S.From the Hebrew lev ('heart'); separately, Lev is a Russian/Slavic name meaning 'lion' (a form of Leo), wPronounced LEV▶Areyah#11171 in the U.S.A modern spelling near Ariah/Aria; by those routes it touches the Hebrew ari ('lion; lioness') and the ItPronounced ah-RY-ah▶Ariyelle#11173 in the U.S.A modern feminine spelling near Ariel, from the Hebrew for 'lion of God,' softened with the -elle ending.Pronounced ar-ee-EL▶Liviya#11682 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Livia, from the Roman family name Livius (traditionally linked to 'blue' or 'enviouPronounced lih-VEE-yah▶Arale#12249 in the U.S.Arale reads as a Hebrew-style pet form (the -le ending is affectionate in Yiddish/Hebrew, as in Arale froPronounced ah-RAH-lee▶Ariele#12255 in the U.S.Ariele is a feminine spelling of Ariel, from Hebrew ari'el, 'lion of God'. In the Bible it is a poetic naPronounced ah-ree-EL▶Arii#12258 in the U.S.Arii reads as a doubled-i spelling of Ari, a short name with several roots — Hebrew ari ('lion'), a pet fPronounced AH-ree▶Arri#12263 in the U.S.Arri reads as a doubled-r spelling of Ari, a short name with roots in Hebrew ari ('lion') and use as a pePronounced AR-ee▶Aryela#12267 in the U.S.Aryela is a spelling of Ariela, the feminine of Ariel, from Hebrew ari'el, 'lion(ess) of God'. It reads sPronounced ah-ree-EL-uh▶Arieliz#12294 in the U.S.A contemporary blend name built on Ariel - Hebrew ari ('lion') plus el ('God') - with the -iz/-liz endingPronounced ah-ree-EL-eez▶Arial#12365 in the U.S.A spelling of Ariel, from the Hebrew for 'lion of God,' now also widely known as the name of the Arial tyPronounced AIR-ee-ul▶Avriella#12408 in the U.S.Avriella is a modern American name, most likely joining an Avry- or Avery- opening to the -ella ending ofPronounced av-ree-EL-uh▶Irielle#12651 in the U.S.A modern coinage joining an Ariel/Irie sound with the French -elle ending; by the Ariel echo it touches 'Pronounced ih-ree-EL▶Aeriel#13498 in the U.S.Aeriel is a respelling of Ariel, from Hebrew Ari'el, 'lion of God,' a name used in the Hebrew Bible for JPronounced AIR-ee-el▶Ariell#13609 in the U.S.A modern double-l spelling of Ariel, from Hebrew ari ('lion') and El ('God') — 'lion of God'. In the BiblPronounced ah-ree-EL▶Ariellys#13610 in the U.S.A modern Latino coinage joining Ariel/Ariella (Hebrew 'lion of God') with the -lys/-ys ending common in CPronounced ah-ree-EH-lees▶Arielah#13617 in the U.S.A feminine extension of Ariel, from the Hebrew for 'lion of God' — read here as 'lioness of God.' Strong Pronounced ar-ee-EL-ah▶Aerielle#13635 in the U.S.Aerielle is a modern respelling of Arielle, the feminine form of Ariel, from the Hebrew Ariel, 'lion of GPronounced air-ee-EL▶Arieal#13763 in the U.S.Arieal is a respelling of Ariel, a Hebrew name meaning lion of God and used in the Bible as a poetic namePronounced AIR-ee-ul▶Erial#13956 in the U.S.Most readily read as a respelling of Ariel, Hebrew 'lion of God' — a name used in scripture for JerusalemPronounced EH-ree-ul▶Eriella#13957 in the U.S.A modern spelling closest to Ariella, the feminine elaboration of Ariel, Hebrew 'lion of God'. The E- opePronounced eh-ree-EL-uh▶Arriel#14341 in the U.S.Arriel is a modern respelling of Ariel, a Hebrew name meaning 'lion of God' that also names a place in thPronounced AIR-ee-el▶Lavie#14385 in the U.S.A short modern name that echoes the Hebrew lavi ('lion') and the French la vie ('life; the life'). As a cPronounced lah-VEE▶Airelle#14556 in the U.S.Airelle is the French word airelle, the bilberry or whortleberry, used as a delicate nature name; it is aPronounced air-ELL▶Aireal#15013 in the U.S.Aireal is a phonetic respelling of Ariel, from Hebrew Ariel meaning 'lion of God.' The Aire- spelling makPronounced AIR-ee-uhl▶Airel#15174 in the U.S.Airel is a compressed respelling of Ariel, from Hebrew Ariel, 'lion of God.' Dropping the middle vowel maPronounced AIR-el▶Ariellie#15427 in the U.S.A modern respelling standing beside Ariel and Arielle. Hebrew Ariel means 'lion of God' and appears in thPronounced ah-ree-EL-ee▶Arieli#15483 in the U.S.Built on Ariel, from Hebrew ari ('lion') and el ('God') - 'lion of God,' a name used in the Hebrew Bible Pronounced ah-ree-EL-ee▶Arriah#15500 in the U.S.Arriah is a double-r respelling of Aria/Ariah. Aria is the Italian word for air, and in music a melody orPronounced AR-ee-uh▶Arrielle#15502 in the U.S.Arrielle is a doubled-r spelling of Arielle, the French feminine of Ariel. Ariel is a Hebrew name meaningPronounced ah-ree-EL▶Aryel#15505 in the U.S.A modern spelling of Ariel, from the Hebrew for 'lion of God.' Airy and current; used here for a girl.Pronounced AR-ee-el▶Ayriel#15872 in the U.S.Ayriel is a phonetic respelling of Ariel, a Hebrew name meaning 'lion of God,' from ari, 'lion,' and el, Pronounced AIR-ee-el▶Airiel#16848 in the U.S.Airiel is a phonetic respelling of Ariel, from Hebrew Ari'el, understood as 'lion of God'. The 'Air-' opePronounced AIR-ee-el▶ArielynnA modern blend of Ariel (Hebrew, 'lion of God') and the ending Lynn (Welsh/English, 'lake; pool'), joinedPronounced air-ee-uh-LIN▶
More Hebrew Meaning Guides
Girl Names That Mean GiftBoy Names That Mean HealingGirl Names That Mean EarthBoy Names That Mean EarthGirl Names That Mean StrengthGirl Names That Mean WindBoy Names That Mean LightBoy Names That Mean LoveGirl Names That Mean LifeGirl Names That Mean HappinessGirl Names That Mean FlowerGirl Names That Mean Joy
Frequently Asked
Which name here most directly means 'lion of God'?
Ariel is the clearest case — it's built straight from the Hebrew ari (lion) and El (God). Ariella, Arielle, and Ariela are all feminine forms of that same name.
Why do so many of these names sound alike?
Most share the ari sound because they trace back toward the same Hebrew root for lion, then add different endings — -ella, -elle, -ela, -yah — picked up in different centuries and languages. A few, like Ariya, only sound similar but come from an unrelated root entirely.