Ari
Ari: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Ari
- A male given name from Hebrew, of Jewish usage, variant of Arieh (also transcribed as Aryeh, Arye).
- A diminutive of the female given names Arianna, Ariana, Ariel, Ariella, and Arielle, also used as a formal given name.
Etymology
Of the first sense, derives directly from Hebrew: אֲרִי (arí, “lion”); compare Yiddish: לייב (leyb, “Leib”), English: Leo, Leon, French: Léo, Léon, Czech: Lev, Polish: Lew, Russian: Лев (Lev), and Ukrainian: Лев (Lev).
How popular is Ari?
Since 1880, 7,662 girls and 20,592 boys in the U.S. have been named Ari (27% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #434 in 2022. Its highest rank for boys was #328 in 2022. In 2025 it ranked #393 for boys, with 1,284 babies given the name.
Names similar to Ari
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Ari
Sister and brother names that share Ari's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ari FAQ
What does the name Ari mean?
A male given name from Hebrew, of Jewish usage, variant of Arieh (also transcribed as Aryeh, Arye). A diminutive of the female given names Arianna, Ariana, Ariel, Ariella, and Arielle, also used as a formal given name. Of the first sense, derives directly from Hebrew: אֲרִי (arí, “lion”); compare Yiddish: לייב (leyb, “Leib”), English: Leo, Leon, French: Léo, Léon, Czech: Lev, Polish: Lew, Russian: Лев (Lev), and Ukrainian: Лев (Lev).
What is the origin of the name Ari?
Ari is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Ari?
Since 1880, 7,662 girls and 20,592 boys in the U.S. have been named Ari (27% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #434 in 2022. Its highest rank for boys was #328 in 2022. In 2025 it ranked #393 for boys, with 1,284 babies given the name.
Is Ari a boy or girl name?
Ari is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (7,662 girls and 20,592 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.