ARIEL  

Gender: F
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: "lion of God"

Popularity in 2008: #217

Biblical place and name of Shakespearean (male) sprite that enjoyed a burst of popularity with the release of Disney's The Little Mermaid. Although its wave has crested, it's still a name any little girl would love. It's also associated with the poetry of Sylvia Plath.

Variations:
Arriel, Airiél, Arrielle, Aeriela, Arial, Aeriel, Aurielle, Arieal, Aire, Aria, Arriele, Aireal, Aeriale, Auriel, Ariele, Arielle, Ariela, Ariellel, Aryel, Aeriell, Ariale, Ahriel, Aryelle, Ariella, Aeryal, Arriell, Arrieal, Aerial, Airial, Ari

Ariel is being discussed in our message boards:

• Siblings for Carson
• Best of British - some Telegraph birth announcements
• Pronounciation of Ariel and Arielle?
• Sister for Anthony & Miranda
• narrowing my list...need help

Read Nameberry blog posts about Ariel:

• THE SOFTER SIDE OF BOYS' NAMES
• JEWISH NAMES
• UNISEX NAMES: What's Hot, What's Not
• PRINCESS NAMES
• POETIC BABY NAMES