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noun Uncommon

Ariel

EH-uh-reerl

Ariel (noun) means a male or female given name of Hebrew origin, literally meaning "lion of God.". Example: “Her grandfather named her Ariel after a verse in the Book of Isaiah.”

noun
1
A male or female given name of Hebrew origin, literally meaning "lion of God."
"Her grandfather named her Ariel after a verse in the Book of Isaiah."
"Ariel is a popular name for boys in Israel and for girls elsewhere."
2
The brightest of the moons of the planet Uranus.
"Ariel and its neighbouring moons were named after characters from Shakespeare and Pope."

How to use Ariel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMainly known today as a given name and as one of Uranus's moons.

Common pairings
name Ariel the moon Ariel

Word forms

Ariels plural, ariels plural

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Test yourself on “Ariel” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her grandfather named her _____ after a verse in the Book of Isaiah.

Etymology

From Hebrew ari (\"lion\") + el (\"God\"). The Uranian moon was named after the airy spirit in Shakespeare's "The Tempest."

Origin: Hebrew

Rhymes for Ariel

See all rhymes for Ariel →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Ariel” mean?

The word “Ariel” means a male or female given name of Hebrew origin, literally meaning "lion of God.". In plain terms, mainly known today as a given name and as one of Uranus's moons.

How do you pronounce “Ariel”?

“Ariel” is pronounced EH-uh-reerl (/ˈɛɹiəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “Ariel” in a sentence?

Here is “Ariel” used in a sentence: “Her grandfather named her Ariel after a verse in the Book of Isaiah.”

What part of speech is “Ariel”?

“Ariel” is a noun.

Where does the word “Ariel” come from?

The word “Ariel” comes from Hebrew. From Hebrew ari (\"lion\") + el (\"God\"). The Uranian moon was named after the airy spirit in Shakespeare's "The Tempest.".

Is “Ariel” a common word?

“Ariel” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Ariel” have?

“Ariel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male or female given name of Hebrew origin, literally meaning "lion of God.".

What is the difference between Ariel the name and Ariel the moon?

As a given name, Ariel is a male or female name of Hebrew origin meaning 'lion of God.' As an astronomical term, Ariel is the brightest of the moons of the planet Uranus. The two senses share only the spelling, one being a personal name and the other a specific celestial body.

Is Ariel a male or female name?

Ariel is used as both a male or female given name, so it is not restricted to one gender. Its Hebrew origin gives it the literal meaning 'lion of God' regardless of which gender uses it.

Why is the moon Ariel notable among Uranus's moons?

Ariel is notable for being the brightest of the moons of the planet Uranus, distinguishing it from the planet's other satellites. This brightness is the specific characteristic that defines this astronomical sense of the name.

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