Ari

Lion of God — a boy name of Hebrew/Scandinavian origin

GenderBoy
MeaningLion of God
PronunciationAH-ree

Popularity of Ari in the United States

#393Rank in 2025
808Births in 2025
#328 in 2022Peak Popularity
→ Stable10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Ari

Ari most often functions as a short form of the Hebrew name Ariel, meaning "lion of God," a title given to the city of Jerusalem in the Book of Isaiah. In Scandinavian countries, however, Ari has an entirely separate root in the Old Norse word for "eagle," and it appears as an independent name in Icelandic sagas dating back over a thousand years. Its brevity and strength have made it a popular choice both as a formal given name and as a casual nickname, appealing to parents who favor short, punchy names with deep roots.

Ari Around the World

Ari is used in 5 languages worldwide, with 14+ international variants.

Languages
FinnishHebrewSeediqAtayalJapanese
Details

TypeMale given name

International Variants
ArjenDutch
ArjanDutch
ArielPolish
ArsiFinnish
ArioItalian
AtroFinnish
Ad
AdriàCatalan
ArieDutch
Ary
Aremultiple languages
Arin
Eri
Aric

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Famous People Named Ari

  • Ari Emanuel — American talent agency executive
  • Ari Aster — American filmmaker
  • Ari Melber — American television journalist

Similar Names to Ari

If you like Ari, you might also consider these names with a similar feel.

Also consider:Ash

Sibling Name Ideas for Ari

Looking for names that pair well with Ari? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Ari mean?

Ari is a boy name of Hebrew/Scandinavian origin meaning "Lion of God." Ari most often functions as a short form of the Hebrew name Ariel, meaning "lion of God," a title given to the city of Jerusalem in the Book of Isaiah. In Scandinavian countries, however, Ari has an entirely separate root in the Old Norse word for "eagle," and it appears as an independent name in Icelandic sagas dating back over a thousand years.

How do you pronounce Ari?

Ari is pronounced AH-ree. Common variations include Arie, Arye, Aari.

Is Ari a boy name?

Yes, Ari is traditionally a boy name.

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