Origin and Meaning of the Name Arya

Discover in this article the origin and meaning of the name Arua, which became a trend thanks to a character in the series Game of Thrones.
Origin and Meaning of the Name Arya

Last update: 15 August, 2022

Choosing the right name for your baby can become a challenge for parents, as it will accompany your child for a lifetime. For this reason, you should opt for one that’s beautiful and representative in every way. That’s why, in this article, we’ll teach you the origin and meaning of a beautiful choice for girls: The name Arya.

Arya, or Aria, has several meanings, but all of them are very delicate and beautiful. If you’re looking for a cute name, which sounds good and at the same time draws attention due to its originality, be sure to read the following article.

Know the origin and meaning of the name Arya

Aria means ‘song’ or ‘melody’ in Italian, whose literal translation is ‘air’.

At the same time, an aria is a musical term that refers to a piece for a soloist within an orchestra and that, in addition, is part of an opera. In Greek, Aria is areios and means ‘lioness’, while in Persian, it’s used as a noun referring to the ‘honorable’ and the ‘noble’. The correct pronunciation in that language is Are-ee-uh.

In both the Latin and Greek versions, the name Aria is reserved for girls, but in the Persian language, it’s used for boys. The latter version is also used in Indian, Hindi, and Malayalam for both sexes. In these cases, the most common spelling is Arya.

In Greek mythology, Aria is a Cretan woman who, together with Apollo, gave birth to Miletos. The name is also related to Ares, the god of war. In Rome, Aria was a woman martyr.

The character of Arya Stark, from the Game of Thrones.
The character of Arya Stark, from the “Game of Thrones” saga inspired thousands of parents around the world and made this name popular.

The diffusion and popularity of Aria

The name Arya wasn’t always popular, but only appeared on the most popular lists in 2000. Its preference among parents was scarce, until finally, in 2012, it appeared among the 100 most chosen names in the world. From there, its popularity took off: A year later, it was among the top 50, and in 2017, it reached the top 20 in the rankings.

The rapid spread of the name was mainly due to the character of Arya Stark, from the television series Game of Thrones. Arya is the daughter of Lord Eddard Stark and Catelyn Tully, and the sister of Robb, Brandon, Rickon, and Jon Snow. She’s one of the most beloved characters of the successful saga, and for that reason, in millions of homes, her name was chosen for little girls.

In addition, we also find the name Aria in Pretty Little Liars. There, the character of Aria Montgomery was played by the American actress Lucy Hale.

Finally, Aria appears in the children’s series My Little Pony as the character of a mermaid who’s part of the group of dazzlings in the Kingdom of Equestria.

Variations of the name Arya

It has become common to see the name Arya written in several ways. Let’s look at some of the variations that became trendy in recent years:

  • Arya
  • Aryana
  • Ari
  • Ariya
  • Ariana (especially popular thanks to actress and singer Ariana Grande)
  • Arianna
  • Ariel
  • Ariella
  • Ariadne
  • Adriana
  • Adrianna
  • Amira
  • Amirah
Aria Fischer, a water polo player from the United States, is a two-time Olympic champion, two-time world champion and champion at the 2019 Pan American Games. Undoubtedly, she is an athlete who honors this name with her sporting successes.

Famous people with the name Arya

Throughout history, there have been people from public life, arts, and sports named Aria. Let’s meet some of them:

  • Aria Aber: American poet and writer.
  • Aria Barzan: was an Iranian prince and military commander who led the Persian army’s last stand in the Battle of the Persian Gate against King Alexander the Great.
  • Aria Pullman: American actress, model, composer, and musician.
  • Aria Wallace: American actress and singer.
  • Aria Clemente: Filipina singer and actress.
  • Aria Curzon: American actress known for her role as Ducky in the series The Land Before Time.
  • Aria Fischer: American water polo player.
  • Arya Nasimi-Shad: Iranian swimmer who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Have you been captivated by this sweet name?

Aria, in itself, is a very beautiful and sweet name to identify your daughter. Besides, it will be even more tender to call her by the diminutive Ari.

After knowing the origin and meaning of Aria, it won’t be difficult for you to choose this name for your baby. She’s sure to love it!


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.