The name Arias is of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the Latin name Arius or Ario. It has its roots in the ancient Roman world, where it was a common name among Roman citizens. The name likely comes from the Latin word "arius," meaning "of the air" or "airy."

In the early Christian era, Arius was a prominent Christian theologian from Alexandria who lived from around 250-336 AD. He was a controversial figure who developed the theology known as Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Christ. While Arianism was eventually declared a heresy, Arius's name lived on in various forms.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arias dates back to the 9th century, when it was used by several Spanish kings and nobles. In the 12th century, a notable figure named Arias Gonzalo was a prominent knight and military leader who fought in the Reconquista against the Moors in the Iberian Peninsula.

During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, several notable artists and intellectuals bore the name Arias. Benito Arias Montano (1527-1598) was a Spanish Renaissance scholar and theologian who produced a famous polyglot Bible. Pedro Arias Dávila (1440-1531) was a Spanish conquistador and the first governor of Panama.

In the 19th century, Arias was the first name of several influential Latin American political figures. Patricio Arias (1796-1875) was a prominent Panamanian politician and general. Adolfo Arias Espinosa (1835-1898) was a Colombian writer and journalist who played a significant role in the country's literary scene.

More recently, Arias has been the first name of several Presidents and political leaders in Latin America. Oscar Arias Sánchez (born 1940) is a former President of Costa Rica who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to resolve the conflicts in Central America. Ricardo Arias Calderón (1933-2017) was a Panamanian politician and lawyer who served as President of Panama from 1985 to 1989.