Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ari
UnisexHebrew, Old Norse· “lion; also eagle”
- Meaning
- lion; also eagle
- Origin
- Hebrew, Old Norse
- Pronunciation
- AH-ree
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #393
- US babies 2025
- 808
- Best rank
- #328 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Ari
Ari is a Hebrew and Old Norse name that means “lion; also eagle”.
Ari is a short name with several independent roots. In Hebrew it means lion, and it is also a short form of Ariel and Aryeh. In Old Norse Ari meant eagle, and the Icelandic historian Ari Thorgilsson, known as Ari the Wise, wrote one of the earliest histories of Iceland. Ari can also serve as a nickname for Aristotle or Arianna. It is used for both boys and girls today, and its brevity and bright vowels give it an easygoing, friendly quality. It pairs well with longer, more formal middle names.
Popularity over time
Ari first appears in US Social Security records in 1958. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 58 different years, starting in 1968. Its best national rank was #328 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,030 babies. In 2025, 808 babies were named Ari, and it ranked #393 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #720 in 1980, #789 in 2000, #500 in 2010, and #393 in 2025. Of the 20,592 US boys named Ari since records began, 35% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 5,363 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Remy, Reign, Royal, Armani, and Kamari.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ari ranked highest in District of Columbia, New York, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #97 | 9 |
| New York | #159 | 120 |
| Connecticut | #220 | 15 |
| New Jersey | #232 | 41 |
| Maryland | #271 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Ari is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 32% of US babies named Ari were girls and 68% were boys.
Ari is usually pronounced AH-ree, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with A and ends in “-ri”.
Middle names for Ari
A few middle names that flow with Ari: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ari
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Lists that include Ari
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ari mean?
Ari is a Hebrew and Old Norse name that means “lion; also eagle”.
What is the origin of the name Ari?
Ari has Hebrew and Old Norse roots. Ari is a short name with several independent roots.
Is Ari a popular name?
Yes. Ari ranked #393 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ari a boy or girl name?
Ari is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 32% of US babies named Ari were girls and 68% were boys.
How do you pronounce Ari?
Ari is usually pronounced AH-ree. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings