Girl
Hebrew
3 syllables
Ariel
AIR-ee-el
/ˈɛəriəl/
"Lion of God" — a name of fierce spirit, divine courage, and soaring imagination
Ariel is a Hebrew name meaning 'lion of God,' appearing in the Old Testament as a poetic name for Jerusalem. Shakespeare used it for the airy spirit in The Tempest, giving the name a magical, ethereal quality. But for most people today, Ariel is forever associated with Disney's Little Mermaid, whose fiery red hair, adventurous spirit, and beautiful voice made the name iconic in the late 1980s and 1990s. The name sits at a fascinating intersection of ancient biblical gravitas and beloved pop-culture magic.
Quick Facts
Letters5
SyllablesA · ri · el
GenderGirl
OriginHebrew
Root WordAriel
MeaningLion of God
PopularityPopular
Peak Year1997
Trend
→ Stable
Nicknames
AriArieRiel
About the Name Ariel
Ariel means 'lion of God' in Hebrew, combining ari (lion) and el (God). In the Bible it appears in the Book of Isaiah as a poetic name for Jerusalem, suggesting the city's holy and fierce character. The name carries a sense of both divine protection and leonine strength — a powerful combination that has made it beloved across Jewish, Christian, and secular communities.
Ariel is a unisex name with a long history for both genders, though in modern English-speaking countries it is predominantly used for girls. In Israel and Jewish communities it has traditionally been used for boys (as in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon). Shakespeare used it for a genderless spirit. The Disney princess has firmly established it as predominantly feminine in popular culture.
Ariel is associated with curiosity, creative spirit, and a yearning for freedom and exploration. Thanks partly to the Disney character, Ariels are often seen as imaginative, passionate, and slightly unconventional — people who follow their heart even when it leads somewhere unexpected. The Hebrew meaning adds an undertone of brave, lion-hearted courage.
Ariel experienced a major surge in popularity following Disney's The Little Mermaid in 1989, entering the US top 100 in the early 1990s and peaking around 1997. It has since settled into stable mid-range popularity, consistently appearing in the top 150–200. The name's biblical and literary roots ensure it will never feel dated.
Ariel works beautifully with a wide range of middles. Lovely options include Ariel Grace, Ariel Rose, Ariel Jade, Ariel Dawn, and Ariel Celeste. The name's light, airy ending pairs especially well with middles that begin with a consonant, creating a clean break between the two names.
Yes, Ariel has deep roots in Jewish tradition. It appears in the Hebrew Bible in the Book of Isaiah, and has been used as a given name in Jewish communities for centuries, traditionally more for boys than girls. In modern Israel it is a common male name. The name's Hebrew meaning of 'lion of God' connects it to the Jewish symbolic tradition in which the lion represents strength, royalty, and the tribe of Judah.
Personality of Ariel
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Ariel
Creativity
92%
Elegance
80%
Independence
88%
Intelligence
82%
Strength
78%
Warmth
84%
Famous People Named Ariel
A
Ariel (Disney)
Beloved mermaid princess from Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989)
A
Ariel (Shakespeare)
The magical spirit in Shakespeare's The Tempest, symbol of freedom and imagination
A
Ariel Sharon
11th Prime Minister of Israel, known as 'The Bulldozer'
A
Ariel Winter
American actress known for Modern Family
A
Ariel Lin
Taiwanese actress and singer
Middle Names for Ariel
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Ariel
Ariel Grace
Ariel Rose
Ariel Marie
Ariel Jade
Ariel Dawn
Ariel Skye
Ariel Pearl
Ariel Celeste
Ariel Faye
Ariel Elise
Ariel Renee
Ariel Brooke
Names Similar to Ariel
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Ariel
700 BCE
Ariel appears in the Book of Isaiah as a poetic name for Jerusalem meaning 'lion of God'
1611
Shakespeare uses Ariel as the name of the magical spirit in The Tempest
1989
Disney's The Little Mermaid premieres, launching the name into mass popularity
1997
Ariel peaks in the US top 100, driven by continuing love for the Disney character
Numerology & Symbolism of Ariel
9
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
6
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Aquarius
7
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Sea Blue
💎
Lucky Stone
Aquamarine
🌸
Lucky Flower
Sea Lavender
Ariel Around the World
How Ariel is written in different languages and scripts
أرييل
Arabic
アリエル
Japanese
Ариэль
Russian
아리엘
Korean
爱丽儿
Chinese
Αριέλ
Greek
एरियल
Hindi
אֲרִיאֵל
Hebrew
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