Ariel
Ariel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Lion of God.
Origin and history
Ariel is a traditional Hebrew name meaning 'lion of God.' While historically used predominantly for males, it gained widespread unisex appeal in the late 20th century. In the U.S., it continues to be used consistently for boys, holding a steady mid-range rank.
Popularity in the United States
21,968 babies in the United States have been named Ariel since 1880. It ranks #791 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #540.
States where it is most popular
- NY (24.1 %)
- CA (19.7 %)
- TX (13.6 %)
- FL (8.8 %)
- NJ (6.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 45 |
| 1920-1930 | 80 |
| 1930-1940 | 53 |
| 1940-1950 | 45 |
| 1950-1960 | 125 |
| 1960-1970 | 445 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,479 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,977 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,662 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,495 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,342 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,220 |
Famous people named Ariel
- Ariel Sharon: Prime Minister, Military General
- Ariel Pink: Musician, Singer
Nicknames
Ari
Fun facts
- In the Old Testament (Isaiah 29), Ariel is used as a poetic alt-name for the city of Jerusalem.
- William Shakespeare used Ariel for the airy spirit character in his play The Tempest.