Ariana (name)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ariana is a feminine name. Ariana and Arianna are the two most common variations.[1]. Other variants include Ariane, Arianne, Arieana, Arionna, Arriana and Aryonna.[2] Nicknames include Ari, Aria, Ana, Anna.
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[edit] Etymology
The name is both an Italian simplification of the Greek name Ariadne ("most holy"; Cretan Greek αρι (ari) "most" and αδνος (adnos) "holy")[3], and a Welsh name meaning "silver" (derived from Welsh arian, "silver"). [4] In Middle Persian languages, the name Ariana meant anyone born in Aryan territories, such as the Persian Empire (Iran), including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of India.[citation needed]
[edit] Popularity
The names Ariana and Arianna are popular in Italy.
In the United States, the name Ariana was listed as the No. 81 most popular name for babies in 2005, with Arianna at No. 88. [5]
As of 2005, the spellings Ariana and Arianna rank far ahead other spellings, such as Aryana. Below is a list from the Social Security Administration website of popular baby names that include and are similar to Ariana.
- Adriana = 121
- Adrianna = 196
- Aria = 709
- Ariana = 81
- Arianna = 88
- Aryana = 872
- Aryanna = 706
- Ayanna = 491
- Mariana = 166
- Marianna = 710
[edit] Pronunciation
Pronunciation varies: "air-ee-UH-na", "uh-ree-UH-na", "ah-ree-AH-na"
[edit] Famous Arianas or Ariannas
- Arianna Huffington, politician
- Arianna, singer [6]
- Ariana Richards, painter
- Ariana Basco, sister of actor brothers Darion, Derek, Dion, and Dante Basco
- Ari Up, musician
[edit] Other uses of the name
- Ariana Afghan Airlines
- Arriana (Αρριανά), municipality in the Rhodope Prefecture, Greece
