"lion of God"
Arielle
A French twist on the lionhearted Hebrew classic
Meaning & Origin
"Jerusalem (poetic)"
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with The Little Mermaid's protagonist — this is generally seen as a positive, romantic association for most parents
The Story of Arielle
Arielle is the French feminine form of Ariel, derived from the Hebrew 'Ari-El' meaning 'lion of God,' composed of 'ari' (lion) and 'El' (God). Ariel appears in the Hebrew Bible as a name for Jerusalem and as an angel's name in apocryphal tradition. Shakespeare used Ariel as the name of an airy spirit in The Tempest (1611). The French feminine form Arielle adds the characteristically French '-elle' suffix, creating an especially melodious variant.
Arielle gained worldwide attention through Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989), though the Disney character's name is spelled Ariel. The French variant Arielle appeals to parents who want the mermaid association with a more distinctive spelling. The name has been particularly popular in France and among Jewish families worldwide.
In Jewish tradition, 'Ari' (lion) is a beloved honorific — being called a lion implies courage, nobility, and strength. The name appears in the Bible as a poetic name for Jerusalem ('Ariel' in Isaiah 29). In Kabbalah, Ariel is the name of an angel associated with nature and healing.
Fun Facts
- Ariel is mentioned in the Bible as a poetic name for the city of Jerusalem in Isaiah 29
- Shakespeare's Ariel in The Tempest is a genderless spirit — the name's feminization is a modern development
Arielle in Other Languages
Famous People Named Arielle
Ariel Winter
Actor
1998
American actress known for her role as Alex Dunphy in Modern Family
Ariel Sharon
Politician
1928
Israeli general and 11th Prime Minister of Israel, one of the most influential figures in Israeli history
Ariel (The Little Mermaid) Fictional
Other
Disney's beloved mermaid princess from the 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid, based on Hans Christian Andersen's sto...
Disney's beloved mermaid princess from the 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid, based on Hans Christian Andersen's story
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #497
- Total SSA Count
- 614
- Cultural Origins
- French Hebrew English Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Arielle is also used as a boy name, ranked #37297.
View Arielle as a boy name →Similar Names
Same Origin Names (French)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arielle
What does the name Arielle mean?
What is the origin of the name Arielle?
Is Arielle a boy or girl name?
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About the Name Arielle
Arielle is a girl name with French, Hebrew, English, and Jewish origins . The name means "lion of God" in Hebrew .
Is Arielle a boy or girl name? Arielle is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #497 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #37,297. Arielle is more commonly used as a girl name.
Arielle is currently ranked #497 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Arielle has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Arielle include Ari, Elle, and Ellie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arielle include Ariella, Ariel, Ariela, Arie, Aries . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.