Gender: Primarily female
Origin: Italian, Persian, Hebrew
Meaning: “Air” or “song” (Italian), “noble” (Persian), “lioness” (Hebrew)
Pronunciation: AH-ree-ah or AR-ee-ah
Meaning of the Name Aria
Aria has multiple beautiful meanings across different cultures. In Italian, it means “air” or “melody,” referring to an expressive solo vocal piece typically found in operas. In Persian culture, it means “noble” or “honorable,” while in Hebrew, it can mean “lioness.” This gives the name a wonderful blend of musical elegance and strength.
Historical Significance of Aria
The name Aria has roots going back centuries in music history, where an aria was a self-contained piece for one voice within a larger work like an opera or oratorio. In Persian history, variations of the name have been used since ancient times. While not historically common as a given name in Western countries, it gained significant popularity in the early 21st century.
Common Nicknames for Aria
- Ari
- Ria
- Ri
- Ary
- Air
How Popular Is Aria?
Aria has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity over the past decade. In the US, it entered the top 1000 names in 2000 and has climbed steadily since, breaking into the top 100 in 2012 and reaching the top 20 in recent years. The name received a significant boost following the premiere of the TV show “Pretty Little Liars” (2010-2017), which featured a main character named Aria.
Famous People Named Aria
- Aria Crescendo – French yoga instructor and former model
- Aria Wallace – American actress known for Nickelodeon shows
- Aria Fischer – American water polo player and Olympic gold medalist
- Aria Brooks – American actress and singer
- Aria Johnson – British singer and TV personality
Fictional Characters Named Aria
- Aria Montgomery – One of the main characters in “Pretty Little Liars”
- Aria T’Loak – A character from the “Mass Effect” video game series
- Aria Stark – Character from “Game of Thrones” (though spelled “Arya”)
- Aria – Character in the anime series “Aria the Animation”
- Aria Blaze – Character from “My Little Pony: Equestria Girls”
Aria in Literature and Pop Culture
Aria has gained considerable visibility in pop culture over the past two decades. Beyond “Pretty Little Liars,” the name appears in various books, video games, and anime. Its connection to music makes it especially appealing in creative works. The name evokes images of artistic expression and beauty, which has made it a favorite choice for characters who are creative, independent, or possess a melodic quality to their personality.
Personality Traits Associated with Aria
People named Aria are often thought to be:
- Creative and artistic
- Independent thinkers
- Melodious and expressive
- Graceful and elegant
- Strong-willed yet gentle
- Natural performers
- Passionate about their interests
Similar Names to Aria
- Ariana
- Ariel
- Aurora
- Lyra
- Melody
- Ariella
- Adalyn
Alternate Spellings for Aria
- Arya
- Ariah
- Areya
- Aryah
- Ariya
- Ariia
Pronunciation Variations Around the World
- American English: AR-ee-ah or AH-ree-ah
- Italian: AH-ree-ah (with rolled ‘r’)
- Spanish: AH-ree-ah
- French: ah-REE-ah
- Japanese: ah-RI-ah
Parents Who Like Aria Also Like
- Luna
- Isla
- Eliana
- Zara
- Nova
- Mila
- Freya
Baby Name Lists That Include Aria
- Musical Names for Girls
- Short and Sweet Girl Names
- Modern Names with Ancient Roots
- Names with Powerful Meanings
- Top Trending Names of the 2020s
- Names with Artistic Connections
- International Names That Work Well in English
Aria for Both Genders
While Aria is predominantly used for girls, it has occasionally been used for boys, particularly in cultures where the Persian meaning of “noble” is emphasized. The masculine form “Ario” or “Arion” can also be found in some cultures.
Sibling Name Ideas
For Sisters:
- Lyra
- Stella
- Elise
- Thea
- Maya
For Brothers:
- Leo
- Asher
- Theo
- Finn
- Milo
Names with the Same Meaning as Aria
- Melody (musical connection)
- Ariel (means “lion of God” – similar to Hebrew meaning)
- Leona (means “lioness”)
- Ayla (means “moonlight” – ethereal like “air”)
- Nobile (means “noble” in Italian)
First Impressions of Aria
The name Aria typically gives a first impression of:
- Elegance and grace
- Creativity and artistic talent
- Modern yet timeless appeal
- Femininity with inner strength
- Uniqueness without being too unusual
Celebrity Babies Named Aria
- Aria Eloise, daughter of Bachelor Nation stars Tanner and Jade Tolbert
- Aria Odom, daughter of former NBA player Lamar Odom
- Aria Faith, daughter of actress Roselyn Sanchez and actor Eric Winter
- Aria Luna, daughter of TV personality Lucy Mecklenburgh
- Aria Hope, daughter of rugby star Greg Inglis
Songs About Aria
While there aren’t many mainstream songs specifically about someone named Aria, the musical nature of the name means it appears in various compositional titles. Most notably:
- “Aria” by Yanni
- “Aria” by Delerium
- “Aria” by Hans Zimmer (from the film “La Femme Nikita”)
Famous Quotes About Aria
As a relatively modern name choice, there aren’t many historical quotes specifically about the name Aria. However, quotes about music and air (both meanings of the name) can connect beautifully:
“Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.” – Alphonse de Lamartine
“The air is free to all people, and so should be the name that honors it.” – Anonymous
Aria in Different Languages
- Italian: Aria (same spelling)
- Spanish: Aria
- French: Aria
- Japanese: アリア (Aria)
- Greek: Άρια (Ária)
- Russian: Ария (Ariya)
- Hebrew: אריה (Aryeh)
Name Combinations for Aria
Middle Names for Aria:
- Aria Grace
- Aria Rose
- Aria Jade
- Aria Elizabeth
- Aria Simone
- Aria Claire
- Aria Kate
First Names if Aria is the Middle:
- Emma Aria
- Sophia Aria
- Isabella Aria
- Olivia Aria
- Mia Aria
Comments from Parents of Children Named Aria
“We named our daughter Aria because we’re both music lovers and wanted something that felt both strong and beautiful. Five years later, the name fits her perfectly – she’s always singing and has such a vibrant personality!”
“I was worried Aria might be becoming too popular, but we loved the meaning too much to choose something else. People always compliment her name.”
“Our Aria is six now, and the name suits her independent spirit. She’s creative and marches to her own beat, just like her name suggests.”
“We chose Aria for its Persian meaning of ‘noble.’ We wanted our daughter to have a name with strength behind its beauty.”
“I’m a professional singer, so naming my daughter Aria felt like passing on my love of music to her. It’s sweet how she now tells everyone what her name means when she meets them!”