Girl · 196th of 35,406
Ariel
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
99,253
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1991
Peak Popularity Year
6,077
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Ariel stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Ariel is a Hebrew name meaning 'lion of God'. Its linguistic journey includes forms in Hebrew, Latin, and English. The name conveys strength and divine connection, with biblical relevance linked to Jerusalem. It gained popularity in the 19th century and is associated with various notable figures today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛəriəl/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Ariel means 'lion of God' in Hebrew. It is derived from the Hebrew words 'ari' meaning 'lion' and 'el' meaning 'God'.
Meaning
lion of God
Language Evolution
Ariel (Hebrew), Ariel (Latinized form), Ariel (English)
Biblical Background
In the Bible, Ariel is mentioned in the Book of Isaiah as a symbolic name for Jerusalem.
Historical Usage
Ariel gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, particularly due to its use in literature and art.
Variants & Derivatives
Ari, Arielle, Ariela
Modern Popularity & Image
Ariel is currently perceived as a name that suggests strength and uniqueness, often associated with the character from Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' and the Disney character from 'The Little Mermaid'.
Famous People
Ariel Sharon, former Prime Minister of Israel, Ariel Winter, American actress, Ariel Leibowitz, notable author
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,077 peak births in 1991
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 13 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3228th of 7545 | 105 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3306th of 6773 | 95 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2029th of 7552 | 298 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 729th of 10718 | 2,014 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 487th of 16616 | 6,068 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 559th of 24088 | 6,914 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 569th of 23106 | 5,936 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2054th of 9107 | 311 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3125th of 9204 | 153 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4460th of 12526 | 148 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1590th of 19264 | 989 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 167th of 27321 | 28,118 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 196th of 35406 | 27,102 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 170th of 30306 | 20,982 |