Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Arianna
GirlItalian, Greek· “most holy”
- Meaning
- most holy
- Origin
- Italian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- ar-ee-AH-nuh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #234
- US babies 2025
- 1,323
- Best rank
- #40 (2014)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Arianna
Arianna is an Italian and Greek name that is usually said to mean “most holy”.
Arianna is the Italian form of Ariadne, the Cretan princess in Greek myth who gave Theseus the thread that led him out of the Labyrinth after he slew the Minotaur. Ariadne is usually explained as most holy, from Cretan Greek elements, though the etymology is not beyond question. Arianna has long been used in Italy and became popular in the United States for its flowing, musical sound. The composer Claudio Monteverdi wrote an opera about her, of which a famous lament survives. Ari and Anna are nicknames, and Ariana is a close variant.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ariana.
Popularity over time
Arianna first appears in US Social Security records in 1963. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 41 different years, starting in 1982. Its best national rank was #40 in 2014, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,276 babies. In 2025, 1,323 babies were named Arianna, and it ranked #234 nationally. That is 71% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,435 in 1980, #128 in 2000, #54 in 2010, and #234 in 2025. Of the 104,152 US girls named Arianna since records began, 40% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 37,838 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Skylar, Paisley, Audrey, Sadie, and Kennedy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Arianna ranked highest in Delaware, New Mexico, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | #82 | 9 |
| New Mexico | #116 | 12 |
| California | #124 | 243 |
| Texas | #144 | 221 |
| District of Columbia | #153 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Arianna is usually pronounced ar-ee-AH-nuh, with four syllables. It has seven letters, starts with A and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ariana.
Middle names for Arianna
A few middle names that flow with Arianna: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Arianna
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Lists that include Arianna
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Arianna mean?
Arianna is an Italian and Greek name that is usually said to mean “most holy”.
What is the origin of the name Arianna?
Arianna has Italian and Greek roots. Arianna is the Italian form of Ariadne, the Cretan princess in Greek myth who gave Theseus the thread that led him out of the Labyrinth after he slew the Minotaur.
Is Arianna a popular name?
Yes. Arianna ranked #234 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Arianna a boy or girl name?
Arianna is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Arianna?
Arianna 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