Entry № 0235 · Greek origin

Ariadne Ariadne — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ ar-ee-AD-nee /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Greek
Meaning
"Most holy"
Syllables
4
Rank · US 2025
№ 612
First recorded
Ancient (Greek)

A name that means "most holy".

Ariadne comes from the Greek Ariádnē (Ἀριάδνη), meaning "most holy" — from ari (intensifier) and hagnos (holy, pure). In Greek mythology, Ariadne was the princess of Crete who gave Theseus the ball of thread that allowed him to escape from the Labyrinth after killing the Minotaur.

Ariadne is rising in the U.S. — propelled by the character Ariadne in Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010, played by Elliot Page). Today it sits in the U.S. top 600 and is climbing.

Most holy. The princess who gave Theseus the thread.

The name in its native script.

Ἀριάδνη
Transliteration
Ariádnē
Pronunciation
/ ˌær.iˈæd.ni /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Ariadne stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 612 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 612 in 2025
Babies named Ariadne · last year
487 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
2017
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №612 NOW · №612

Ariadnes before her.

Real people
Ariadne Getty
American philanthropist.
born 1962
In fiction
Ariadne
Princess of Crete in Greek mythology.
Greek mythology
Ariadne
Character in Christopher Nolan's Inception.
2010 film

Names connected to Ariadne.

The number behind Ariadne.

1

The Pioneer

Ariadne reduces to one — the number of holding the thread.

Why families chose this name.

"She holds the thread. The myth was the meaning we wanted."
Eleni · Mother of one · Crete