Girl Names That Mean Lion

Lions have stood for courage and royalty across many cultures, and names built on the lion tend to combine strength with a graceful sound. Ariel is a Hebrew name usually translated as lion of God. It appears in the Hebrew Bible as a poetic name for a holy city and later became the name of a spirit in one of Shakespeare's late plays. Ariella, Arielle, Ariela, Ari and Arie are all related forms, and Aerial is a spelling that parents sometimes choose, though it can be confused with the ordinary English word.

The Latin word for lion, leo, gives this list Leona, Leonie and Leonna. Leonie is the French and German form and has a soft, vintage charm, while Leona is simple and strong. Leandra comes from Greek, joining the words for lion and man, and has been used as a feminine name for centuries. From Arabic comes Hafsa, often explained as a young lioness, a name with deep roots in early Islamic history.

If you like the lion meaning but want to keep it subtle, Ariel and Ariella carry it without making it obvious. Leona and Leonie make the link easier to hear. Spelling deserves attention with Ariel in particular, since Arielle and Ariela change both the look and the rhythm of the name.