Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Ari

Ari is a masculine given name with a few possible etymologies. Most commonly the name is derived from the Hebrew אֲרִי meaning “lion” but it is also an Old Norse nickname meaning “eagle”. The word “ari” also translates to “brave” in the Armenian language and “dry” in Latin. It means “sun-like” in languages indigenous to southern India and “one without sin; one on the right path” in Hindi. It is often used as the shortened form of Aristotle among the Greeks. This simple three letter name has many different meanings among various cultures and languages, but it is most commonly used among Jews within English speaking nations. Just as Ariel means “lion of God” in Hebrew, “Ari” as an independently given name means just “lion”. Ari is occasionally used as a pet form for Ariel and Arielle (for girls). Despite its many potential etymologies, Ari is not a significantly popular name among English-speaking countries.

All About the Baby Name – Ari

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME ARI

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME ARI

The masculine name Ari first made an appearance on the U.S. popularity charts in 1969. The name has mainly languished down at lower levels of usage for the remainder of the 20th century. However, this century, Ari has fared a bit better. Likely, the name got a little boost up the charts in the mid-2000s thanks to the popular HBO series “Entourage” (2004-2011) which features a central character named Ari Gold (played by Jeremy Piven). Apparently, Ari Gold’s character was modeled off a real-life talent agent and co-CEO of the William-Morris Agency Ari Emanuel (who happens to be Entourage’s producer Mark Wahlberg’s real-life agent). The name Ari saw an improvement of over 200 positions on the charts during the show’s run. A renewed interest in this name, however, may be short lived because last year, Ari was back on the decline. Still, Ari is a simple, handsome and confident name in its simplicity. It definitely has a Jewish sensibility and a sweet “old man” quality (like Saul). Outside of the Hebrew language, Ari has many other meanings providing the name a lot of multi-cultural flexibility and interest. Not to mention that all of those etymologies are positive and strong. It seems you just can’t go wrong with a name like Ari. This is a “one” personality in numerology which is all about ambition and success.

Quick Facts

ON ARI

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Hebrew

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

419

PRONUNCIATION:

AR-ee

SIMPLE MEANING:

Lion; Eagle, Brave

Characteristics

OF ARI

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Ari

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ARI

Ari Ben Canaan is the Zionist hero of Leon Uris’ 1958 novel, Exodus, which was made into an award-winning 1960 film of the same name, starring Paul Newman. Ari is dedicated to the cause of a homeland for the Jews, the establishment of the State of Israel, and he commandeers a ship to take more than 600 Jewish Holocaust survivors from refugee camps in Cyprus to Palestine. The character of Ari is said to be based on the true-life story of Yossi Harel, who was responsible for the immigration of thousands of Jews. Ari is described as a handsome and courageous young man who is absolutely devoted to the Jewish freedom movement, having already lost many family and loved ones to the ravages of war. He uses intelligence and cunning in his clandestine dealings - the story of Jewish liberation, however rocky, is due in large part to his courage. He also gets the girl, but then again, he’s Paul Newman, after all.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ARI

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Ari


Popular Songs

ON ARI

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Ari


Famous People

NAMED ARI

Ari Emanuel (Hollywood talent agent)
Ari Fleischer (former White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush)
Ari Folman (Israeli film director)
Ariel "Ari" Graynor (actress)
Ari Meyers (actress)
Aristotle "Ari" Onassis (Greek billionaire and former husband of Jackie Kennedy Onassis)
Ari (Jewish mystic, father of contemporary Kabbalah)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ARI

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Ari

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ARI

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Ari