אֲרִי

Ari

boyHebrewJewish

Ari is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Lion”.

MeaningLion
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
Written asאֲרִי
PronunciationAH-ree
TraditionJewish
Used inIsrael, United States, Finland, Iceland

Meaning and origin of Ari

Ari is a Hebrew word for lion and is used as a name in its own right as well as a short form of Aryeh and Ariel. The lion is the emblem of the tribe of Judah, based on Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49:9. In Scandinavia and Finland Ari is an independent name from Old Norse, often linked to 'eagle'. Ari is used for boys and, in English-speaking countries, sometimes as a nickname for girls named Ariana.

Is Ari a Jewish name?

Ari is a Jewish name whose lion image recalls Judah; it is often given in memory of a relative called Aryeh or Leib.

How popular is Ari?

Common among Jewish families in Israel and North America, and found independently in the Nordic countries.

Gifts with the name Ari

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Spellings and variants of Ari

Names similar to Ari

More Jewish boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ari mean?

Ari means 'Lion'. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Ari a Jewish name?

Ari is a Jewish name whose lion image recalls Judah; it is often given in memory of a relative called Aryeh or Leib.

How do you pronounce Ari?

Ari is pronounced AH-ree.

Is Ari a boy or girl name?

Ari is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.