"lion of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Ariel
Pronunciation: [ EHR-ee-uhl ]
Does Ariel flow with your last name?
Meaning 'lion of God' — and inspiring a generation of little mermaids
Hebrew
Israeli
American
Spanish
Spiritual
Whimsical
Literary
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"altar of God, hearth of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"Jerusalem (poetic)"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Browse names with similar meanings:
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Things to Know About This Name
- Overwhelmingly associated with the Disney movie The Little Mermaid (1989) — virtually impossible to separate from this cultural image for most Americans
The Story of Ariel
Ariel is a Hebrew name meaning 'lion of God' (ari = lion, el = God). In the Bible, Ariel appears as a poetic name for Jerusalem ('the city where David encamped'), and also as an angelic name in apocryphal texts. Shakespeare used it in The Tempest (1611) as the name of a mischievous spirit, and it appears in Alexander Pope's mock-heroic poem The Rape of the Lock (1712). The name was unisex for centuries before Disney's 1989 film decisively feminized it in American culture.
Ariel skyrocketed in the US after Disney's The Little Mermaid premiered in 1989 — the name jumped from rank #266 to #66 in a single year. It has remained a popular girls' name ever since, though the Disney association has also permanently influenced perceptions of the name.
In Israel, Ariel is a common boy's name (most famously Prime Minister Ariel Sharon). In English-speaking countries, Disney's red-haired mermaid has made it almost exclusively female. The name's Hebrew meaning — 'lion of God' — connects it to Jerusalem itself.
Historical Record
Ariel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 77,302 babies have been named Ariel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ariel is past its peak , currently ranked #300 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Little Mermaid (1989) caused Ariel to jump 200 spots in US baby name rankings in a single year
- Ariel is one of the moons of Uranus, discovered in 1851 and named after Pope's sylph character
- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (Israel) and Ariel from The Little Mermaid share a name with wildly different associations
Ariel in Other Languages
Arabic
أريال
French
Ariel
Hebrew
אֲרִיאֵל
Italian
Ariel
Spanish
Ariel
Japanese
アリエル
Popularity Over Time
#300
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1991
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ariel
A
Ariel Sharon
Politician
1928
Israeli military general and Prime Minister of Israel (2001-2006)
A
Ariel (The Little Mermaid) Fictional
Other
Disney's beloved mermaid princess protagonist of The Little Mermaid (1989), voiced by Jodi Benson
A
Ariel (Shakespeare's The Tempest) Fictional
Other
Airy spirit servant to the magician Prospero in Shakespeare's final play, The Tempest (1611)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #300
- Total SSA Count
- 1,051
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Israeli American Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ari
Arie
Elle
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ariel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ariel is also used as a boy name, ranked #512.
View Ariel as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Ariel →Compare Ariel with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
See all Hebrew names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Ariel
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ariel
What does the name Ariel mean?
"lion of God" (from Hebrew). "altar of God, hearth of God" (from Hebrew). "Jerusalem (poetic)" (from Biblical Hebrew). Ariel is a Hebrew name meaning 'lion of God' (ari = lion, el = God). In the Bible, Ariel appears as a poetic name for Jerusalem ('the city where David encamped'), and also as an angelic name in apocryphal texts. Shakespeare used it in The Tempest (1611) as the name of a mischievous spirit, and it appears in Alexander Pope's mock-heroic poem The Rape of the Lock (1712). The name was unisex for centuries before Disney's 1989 film decisively feminized it in American culture.
What is the origin of the name Ariel?
Ariel has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Israeli, American, and Spanish origins. In Hebrew, it means "lion of God". In Hebrew, it means "altar of God, hearth of God". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "Jerusalem (poetic)".
Is Ariel a boy or girl name?
Ariel is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #300. As a boy name, it is ranked #512. Ariel is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ariel?
Ariel is pronounced EHR-ee-uhl.
How popular is the name Ariel?
Ariel is currently ranked #300 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ariel?
Common nicknames for Ariel include Ari, Arie, and Elle.
What are good middle names for Ariel?
Popular middle name pairings include Ariel Rose, Ariel Grace, Ariel Marie, Ariel Joy, Ariel Dawn, Ariel Belle, and Ariel Claire.
What are good sibling names for Ariel?
Names that pair well with Ariel as siblings include Sebastian, Flounder, Jasmine, Aurora, Zoe, Eden, and Nadia.
How many syllables does Ariel have?
Ariel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ariel a common or rare name?
Ariel is a popular name, ranked #300 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Ariel?
About the Name Ariel
Ariel is a girl name with Hebrew, Israeli, American, and Spanish origins . The name means "lion of God" in Hebrew .
Is Ariel a boy or girl name? Ariel is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #300 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #512. Ariel is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ariel is currently ranked #300 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ariel has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHR-ee-uhl, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ariel include Ari, Arie, and Elle. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ariel include Ariella, Arielle, Ariela, Arie, Aries . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis