Arian first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Arian has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Arian

Of Iranian origin, meaning "noble" or "distinguished."

Popularity of Arian by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Arian is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 80% of people named Arian being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 295 male babies and 19 female babies born with the name Arian.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 295 19
2022 257 15
2021 260 25
2020 263 18
2019 240 33
2018 250 26
2017 262 29
2016 324 38
2015 347 39
2014 373 45
2013 494 49
2012 365 18
2011 217 26
2010 150 31
2009 151 68
2008 129 32
2007 127 22
2006 120 28
2005 104 37
2004 90 31
2003 110 39
2002 93 52
2001 105 39
2000 99 47
1999 49 59
1998 63 44
1997 50 46
1996 55 32
1995 49 51
1994 40 41
1993 43 38
1992 42 34
1991 54 36
1990 51 37
1989 38 26
1988 31 20
1987 31 17
1986 29 24
1985 27 26
1984 31 23
1983 35 14
1982 27 20
1981 30 13
1980 22 20
1979 32 18
1978 23 24
1977 32 10
1976 21 9
1975 16 11
1974 12 11

The history of the first name Arian

The name Arian has its origins in the ancient Persian language and culture, dating back to the 6th century BCE. It is derived from the Old Persian word "arya," which means "noble" or "honorable." This name was particularly popular among the ancient Persian aristocracy and was often used to signify a person's high social status and lineage.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Arian can be found in the Achaemenid inscriptions, which were carved into the walls of the Persian royal palaces in Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rustam. These inscriptions mention several Persian kings and noblemen with the name Arian or its variants, such as Ariana and Arianes.

In the ancient Zoroastrian religion, which was the predominant faith in ancient Persia, the name Arian was associated with the concept of "asha," which represented truth, righteousness, and cosmic order. This connection further elevated the name's prestige and made it a popular choice among the Zoroastrian community.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Arian. One of the most famous was Arian of Alexandria (256-336 CE), a Christian priest and theologian who sparked the Arian controversy over the nature of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son. His teachings, which challenged the doctrine of the Trinity, led to the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.

Another prominent figure with the name Arian was Arian the Great (858-923 CE), an Armenian mathematician and scholar who made significant contributions to the fields of geometry, algebra, and astronomy. His works, including the "Book of Proofs" and the "Treatise on the Quadrature of the Circle," were highly influential in the medieval Islamic world.

In the realm of literature, Arian Leib (1876-1937) was a notable Yiddish poet and playwright from Ukraine. His works, such as "The Forgotten," explored themes of Jewish identity and the struggle for cultural preservation in the face of persecution and assimilation.

Arian Moayed (born 1980) is a contemporary Iranian-American actor known for his roles in films like "The Accidental Husband" and television series such as "Succession" and "The Messenger."

Finally, Arian Foster (born 1986) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Texans and the Miami Dolphins. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and led the NFL in rushing yards in 2010.

While the name Arian has roots in ancient Persian culture, it has transcended its origins and been adopted by various cultures and communities worldwide, each imbuing it with their own unique meanings and associations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Arian was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Arian, please contact us.

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"Arian first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 5, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/arian-meaning-and-history/.

"Arian first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/arian-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 5 November, 2024

Arian first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/arian-meaning-and-history/.

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