"most holy"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Arianna
Pronunciation: [ ahr-ee-AN-uh ]
Girl Name
#195 Most Popular
Steady
4 Syllables
Mythological wisdom and Italian elegance combined
English
Italian
Greek
Spanish
Elegant
Modern
Sophisticated
Classic
Meaning & Origin
"very sacred, utterly pure"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
The Story of Arianna
Arianna derives from the ancient Greek 'Ariadne,' composed of 'ari' (most, very) and 'adnos' (holy), yielding 'most holy' or 'utterly pure.' In Greek mythology, Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos of Crete who gave the hero Theseus the famous thread (the 'clew') that allowed him to navigate the Labyrinth and defeat the Minotaur. The Italian form Arianna was popularized during the Renaissance and has been used in Italian-speaking regions ever since.
Arianna entered the US top 100 in 2002, riding the wave of Italian-sounding lyrical names. Ariana Grande's global stardom since 2013 has kept the name prominently in cultural awareness, and its melodic four-syllable flow appeals to parents seeking an elegant, timeless choice.
Ariadne's thread from Greek mythology is the origin of the English word 'clue' (from 'clew,' a ball of thread). Great composers including Handel, Strauss, and Monteverdi all wrote operas about her. Arianna Huffington, the Greek-American media entrepreneur who co-founded The Huffington Post, gave the name modern professional prestige.
Fun Facts
- Ariadne's thread is the mythological origin of the English word 'clue' — her ball of thread was called a 'clew'
- Richard Strauss's 1912 opera 'Ariadne auf Naxos' is one of the most performed operas in the modern repertoire
- Arianna Huffington built The Huffington Post from a blog to a Pulitzer Prize-winning news organization
Arianna in Other Languages
Greek
Αριάδνη (Ariadne)
French
Ariane
Italian
Arianna
Spanish
Ariana
Portuguese
Ariana
Famous People Named Arianna
A
Ariana Grande
Musician
1993
American pop singer and actress; one of the best-selling music artists of all time with hits like Thank U, Next and 7 Ri...
American pop singer and actress; one of the best-selling music artists of all time with hits like Thank U, Next and 7 Rings
A
Arianna Huffington
Business
1950
Greek-American author and businesswoman who co-founded The Huffington Post and founded Thrive Global
A
Ariadne Fictional
Other
Greek mythological princess who helped Theseus defeat the Minotaur using a thread through the Labyrinth
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #195
- Total SSA Count
- 1,562
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian Greek Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ari
Aria
Pairs Well With
Arianna Grace
Arianna Rose
Arianna Marie
Arianna Elizabeth
Arianna Sofia
Arianna Jade
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Arianna is also used as a boy name, ranked #17839.
View Arianna as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arianna
What does the name Arianna mean?
"most holy" (from Greek). "very sacred, utterly pure" (from Ancient Greek). Arianna derives from the ancient Greek 'Ariadne,' composed of 'ari' (most, very) and 'adnos' (holy), yielding 'most holy' or 'utterly pure.' In Greek mythology, Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos of Crete who gave the hero Theseus the famous thread (the 'clew') that allowed him to navigate the Labyrinth and defeat the Minotaur. The Italian form Arianna was popularized during the Renaissance and has been used in Italian-speaking regions ever since.
What is the origin of the name Arianna?
Arianna has Greek, Ancient Greek, English, Italian, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "most holy". In Ancient Greek, it means "very sacred, utterly pure".
Is Arianna a boy or girl name?
Arianna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #195. As a boy name, it is ranked #17839. Arianna is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Arianna?
Arianna is pronounced ahr-ee-AN-uh.
How popular is the name Arianna?
Arianna is currently ranked #195 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Arianna?
Common nicknames for Arianna include Ari and Aria.
What are good middle names for Arianna?
Popular middle name pairings include Arianna Grace, Arianna Rose, Arianna Marie, Arianna Elizabeth, Arianna Sofia, and Arianna Jade.
What are good sibling names for Arianna?
Names that pair well with Arianna as siblings include Gianna, Valentina, Isabella, Sebastian, Marco, and Matteo.
How many syllables does Arianna have?
Arianna has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Arianna a common or rare name?
Arianna is a popular name, ranked #195 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Arianna
Arianna is a girl name with English, Italian, Greek, and Spanish origins . The name means "most holy" in Greek .
Is Arianna a boy or girl name? Arianna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #195 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #17,839. Arianna is more commonly used as a girl name.
Arianna is currently ranked #195 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Arianna has 4 syllables and is pronounced ahr-ee-AN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Arianna include Ari and Aria. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arianna include Aria, Ariana, Ariah, Ariadna, Ariadne . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.