Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ariella
GirlHebrew· “lion of God”
- Meaning
- lion of God
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ah-ree-EHL-uh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #174
- US babies 2025
- 1,756
- Best rank
- #154 (2020)
- Peak year
- 2020
Meaning and origin of Ariella
Ariella is a Hebrew name that means “lion of God”.
Ariella is a feminine form of Ariel, a Hebrew name meaning lion of God. Ariel appears in the Hebrew Bible, both as a personal name and as a poetic name for Jerusalem, and it was later used for a spirit in Shakespeare's The Tempest and for the mermaid heroine in Disney's The Little Mermaid. The Ariella form adds the popular -ella ending, which gives it a graceful rhythm while keeping the strong meaning of its root. It is used in Israel and increasingly in English-speaking countries. Nicknames include Ari, Ella and Ellie.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ariela.
Popularity over time
Ariella first appears in US Social Security records in 1967. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 18 different years, starting in 2008. Its best national rank was #154 in 2020, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,802 babies. In 2025, 1,756 babies were named Ariella, and it ranked #174 nationally. That is 116% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,869 in 1980, #1,506 in 2000, #728 in 2010, and #174 in 2025. Of the 22,371 US girls named Ariella since records began, 45% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 8,443 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ryleigh, Brynlee, Journee, Raegan, and Kali.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ariella ranked highest in New Mexico, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #38 | 24 |
| Rhode Island | #59 | 12 |
| New Jersey | #90 | 78 |
| New York | #98 | 147 |
| Texas | #99 | 283 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ariella is usually pronounced ah-ree-EHL-uh, with four syllables. It has seven letters, starts with A and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ariela.
Middle names for Ariella
A few middle names that flow with Ariella: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ariella
Similar names
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gab-ree-EL-uh
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dan-YEHL-uh
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an-tuh-NEH-luh
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Ayla Girl
AY-luh
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Mikayla Girl
mih-KAY-luh
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mih-KAY-luh
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a-nuh-BEH-luh
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Lists that include Ariella
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ariella mean?
Ariella is a Hebrew name that means “lion of God”.
What is the origin of the name Ariella?
Ariella has Hebrew roots. Ariella is a feminine form of Ariel, a Hebrew name meaning lion of God.
Is Ariella a popular name?
Yes. Ariella ranked #174 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ariella a boy or girl name?
Ariella is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ariella?
Ariella is usually pronounced ah-ree-EHL-uh. 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