Ariana
Ariana is a girls' name of Welsh origin meaning “most holy, silver.” It ranked #128 in the United States in 2025. Derived from the Welsh 'arian' meaning silver, though it is also related to the Greek 'Ariadne.'
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how do you pronounce Ariana?
air-ee-AH-nah
where does the name Ariana come from?
Ariana has more than one plausible line and no settled answer. It is commonly treated as an Italian form of the Greek Ariadne, and separately as a feminine of the Persian Aryan. The Welsh derivation given in some sources, from arian meaning silver, is a further and less widely accepted proposal.
In Greek mythology, Ariadne was the Cretan princess who helped Theseus navigate the Labyrinth. The name's popularity was significantly boosted by singer Ariana Grande.
how popular is this name?
Ariana has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 47 years since 1978, and fell outside it for 1. It peaked at #37 in 2014, and ranked #128 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #128 |
| 2024 | #102 |
| 2023 | #97 |
| 2022 | #90 |
| 2021 | #88 |
| 2020 | #79 |
| 2019 | #69 |
| 2018 | #68 |
| 2017 | #67 |
| 2016 | #54 |
| 2014 | #37 |
| 2010 | #84 |
| 2000 | #109 |
| 1990 | #228 |
| 1980 | #597 |
| 1978 | #924 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Ariana fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Ariana
If the Ariadne line is correct, the name descends from the Cretan princess who gives Theseus the thread to find his way out of the labyrinth. The modern spelling Ariana rose sharply in the United States from the 1990s, and the singer Ariana Grande has been its most visible bearer since the 2010s.
what are the nicknames and variants of Ariana?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Ariana?
- Ariana Grande (singer)
what names are similar to Ariana?
what names go well with Ariana?
Sibling names that share Ariana's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Ariana
What does the name Ariana mean?
Ariana means “most holy, silver”.
What is the origin of the name Ariana?
Ariana comes from the Welsh naming tradition. Related forms include Arianna, Ariane and Ariadne.
How popular is the name Ariana?
Ariana ranked #128 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2014, at #37, and it has spent 47 years in the top 1,000 since 1978.
Is Ariana a boy or girl name?
Ariana is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Ariana?
Ariana is pronounced air-ee-AH-nah, with 4 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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