Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ariana
GirlItalian, Greek· “most holy; form of Ariadne”
- Meaning
- most holy; form of Ariadne
- Origin
- Italian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- ar-ee-AH-nuh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #128
- US babies 2025
- 2,219
- Best rank
- #37 (2014)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Ariana
Ariana is an Italian and Greek name that is usually said to mean “most holy; form of Ariadne”.
Ariana is related to Arianna, the Italian form of Ariadne, the Cretan princess in Greek myth who helped Theseus escape the Labyrinth with a ball of thread. Ariadne is usually explained as most holy, from Cretan Greek elements. Some also connect Ariana to the Welsh arian, meaning silver, though that is a separate root. In the United States the name became much better known through the singer Ariana Grande. It has a flowing, musical sound with four open syllables. Ari and Ana are easy nicknames, and Arianna is an alternative spelling.
Other spellings with the same sound: Arianna.
Popularity over time
Ariana first appears in US Social Security records in 1957. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 47 different years, starting in 1978. Its best national rank was #37 in 2014, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,504 babies. In 2025, 2,219 babies were named Ariana, and it ranked #128 nationally. That is 55% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #598 in 1980, #109 in 2000, #84 in 2010, and #128 in 2025. Of the 120,380 US girls named Ariana since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 38,010 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Audrey, Skylar, Paisley, Sadie, and Kennedy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ariana ranked highest in Maryland, California, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #66 | 55 |
| California | #67 | 410 |
| New Mexico | #71 | 17 |
| Texas | #74 | 339 |
| Nevada | #78 | 27 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ariana is usually pronounced ar-ee-AH-nuh, with four syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Arianna.
Middle names for Ariana
A few middle names that flow with Ariana: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ariana
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Lists that include Ariana
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ariana mean?
Ariana is an Italian and Greek name that is usually said to mean “most holy; form of Ariadne”.
What is the origin of the name Ariana?
Ariana has Italian and Greek roots. Ariana is related to Arianna, the Italian form of Ariadne, the Cretan princess in Greek myth who helped Theseus escape the Labyrinth with a ball of thread.
Is Ariana a popular name?
Yes. Ariana ranked #128 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ariana a boy or girl name?
Ariana is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ariana?
Ariana is usually pronounced ar-ee-AH-nuh. 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