The name Ariyah is a modern spelling variation of the Hebrew name Arya, which is derived from the Hebrew word "ari" meaning "lion." This name has its roots in ancient Semitic languages and cultures of the Middle East.

The earliest known reference to the name Arya can be found in the ancient Sanskrit texts of India, where it was used to describe the Indo-Aryan people who migrated to the Indian subcontinent around 1500 BCE. In these texts, Arya was used as an ethnic designation, meaning "noble" or "honorable."

In the Persian Empire, the name Ariya was used to refer to the Iranian people and their language, which is now known as the Aryan language family. This usage dates back to the 6th century BCE and is evident in the inscriptions of the Achaemenid kings, such as Darius the Great.

The Hebrew name Arya is first mentioned in the Torah, the sacred text of Judaism, where it is used as a personal name. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Arya ben Shlomo, a prominent Jewish scholar who lived in the 11th century CE in Spain.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures with the name Ariyah or its variants. One of the most famous was Arya Stark, a fictional character from the popular "Game of Thrones" book and TV series, set in a fantasy world inspired by medieval Europe. The name Arya Stark became popular after the show's debut in 2011.

Another notable individual was Arya Samaj, an Indian philosopher and social reformer who founded the Arya Samaj movement in the late 19th century. This movement aimed to revive the ancient Vedic traditions of India and promote social and religious reform.

In the 20th century, Arya Nagar was an Indian politician and freedom fighter who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.

Arya Devi was a prominent Indian actress and dancer who was active in the early 20th century and is considered one of the pioneers of Indian cinema.

Arya Permana was an Indonesian businessman and philanthropist who founded the Arya Duta Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving education and healthcare in Indonesia.