Ariana
Say it: ar-ee-AN-a/ɑːɹiˈænə/
GirlMeans from Ariadne, usually explained as "most holy"6 letters4 syllables
#213
in Ireland (2025)
#217 with spellings combined
20
babies in 2025
#156
best rank (2015)
387
babies since 2001
Down 61
10-year rank change
Ariana through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20 | #217 |
| 2024 | 18 | #235 |
| 2023 | 15 | #263 |
| 2022 | 32 | #163 |
| 2021 | 29 | #167 |
| 2020 | 19 | #231 |
| 2019 | 30 | #170 |
| 2018 | 26 | #194 |
| 2017 | 21 | #233 |
| 2016 | 34 | #163 |
| 2015 | 37 | #156 |
| 2014 | 18 | #274 |
| 2013 | 14 | #340 |
| 2012 | 18 | #281 |
| 2011 | 13 | #361 |
| 2010 | 12 | #396 |
| 2009 | 8 | #489 |
| 2008 | 6 | #599 |
| 2007 | 4 | #704 |
| 2006 | 7 | #465 |
| 2002 | 3 | #620 |
| 2001 | 3 | #606 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Ariana mean?
From Ariadne, usually explained as "most holy"
A modern form of Arianna and Ariane, from the Greek Ariadne.
Say it right
areeANa
Some say ar-ee-AH-na.
The story of Ariana
Ariana is a simpler spelling of Arianna and Ariane, which go back to Ariadne, a princess of Crete in Greek myth. Ariadne is usually explained as “most holy”, from Cretan Greek words for “most” and “holy”. Because it sounds alike, Ariana is sometimes mixed up with Adriana, and it has also been linked with the Welsh word arian, “silver”, though that is a later association.
In recent years the name is known around the world through the American singer Ariana Grande.
Ariana first reached the CSO list in 2001. Its best year was 2015, with 37 girls and a place at number 156. The CSO counts Arianna as a separate name. In Northern Ireland it did best in 2018, at number 119.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Ariana (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Ariana (name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Ariana | 20 | 387 |
In Northern Ireland
#334 in 2025 with 4 babies. Best rank #119 (2018); 142 babies since 2009.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.