The name Ariana has its roots in the ancient Persian language and culture. It is derived from the word "Ariana," which was the name used to refer to the vast region that encompassed parts of modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This region was known as the "Land of the Arians," with the term "Aryan" referring to the Indo-Iranian people who inhabited the area.

Ariana is believed to have been in use as a feminine name since ancient times, although its earliest documented appearance is uncertain. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Avesta, the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, which date back to around the 6th century BCE.

In the medieval era, the name Ariana gained popularity among Persian nobility and was borne by several notable figures. One such figure was Ariana of Panjikent, a princess from the Sogdian city of Panjikent (located in modern-day Tajikistan) who lived in the 8th century CE. She was renowned for her beauty and intelligence and was celebrated in Persian poetry and literature.

Another notable bearer of the name was Ariana of Amsterdam, a 17th-century Dutch artist and poet who was admired for her talent and intellect. She was born in Amsterdam in 1628 and gained recognition for her portraits and still-life paintings.

In the 19th century, the name Ariana was popularized in Europe, particularly in Italy and France. One of the most famous figures with this name was Ariana Nozadze, a Georgian princess and writer who lived from 1828 to 1892. She was known for her contributions to Georgian literature and her advocacy for women's rights.

Another notable bearer of the name was Ariana Mavroleon, a Greek-American archaeologist and scholar who lived from 1895 to 1973. She was instrumental in the excavation and preservation of ancient sites in Greece and made significant contributions to the field of classical archaeology.

In more recent times, the name Ariana has gained widespread popularity, particularly in the United States and other Western countries. Some famous modern bearers of the name include Ariana Grande, the American singer and actress born in 1993, and Ariana Madix, an American reality television personality born in 1985.