Arielle
/a.ʁjɛl/
Arielle is the French feminine form of Ariel, from the Hebrew ʾārī’ēl meaning “lion of God,” combining ari (“lion”) and El (“God”). In the Hebrew Bible it appears as both a name and a poetic description of Jerusalem.
The name gained enormous exposure in the English-speaking world through Disney’s The Little Mermaid (1989), where the mermaid princess was named Ariel. The French Arielle form emerged as a feminised variant with a more elaborate, European feel.
Arielle peaked at No. 183 in 1991 with 1,631 births. In 2024 it stands at No. 497 with 614 births, well down from its Disney-era heights.
What the name Arielle means
The name was boosted by French-speaking communities and by parents who wanted the Ariel sound with a more clearly feminine form. Actress Arielle Kebbel (1985-) is a notable American bearer.
Three syllables — ah-ree-EL — with stress on the final beat. The French -elle ending adds a soft, romantic quality to the Hebrew root.
Parents drawn to Arielle often want the Hebrew meaning and the Disney association but prefer the extended French form, which feels more formal and less likely to be shortened.
Variants include Ariel, Ariella, and the Italian Ariella. The Hebrew Ariel is used for both sexes; Arielle is exclusively feminine.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Arielle
Arielle - similar names
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