Ariel is a Hebrew name of biblical origin that means "lion of God." It is derived from the Hebrew words "arie" meaning lion and "el" meaning God. In the Bible, Ariel appears as one of the names given to Jerusalem in Isaiah 29:1-8. The prophet Isaiah refers to Ariel as a city besieged by enemies but ultimately protected by God. Throughout history, Ariel has been used as a male name in Jewish communities around the world. Today, it is also used as a female name, likely due to its popularity among fans of Disney's "The Little Mermaid," whose main character shares the same name spelled differently. However, Ariel remains predominantly associated with males and has a strong biblical connection that resonates with people of faith.
"The name Arieh experienced a notable peak in popularity between 2009 and 2015, with ten or more births occurring each year during this period. However, it has since returned to the lower end of the spectrum, with five births recorded in both 2018 and 2021."