'ariel' originates from Hebrew, specifically the word 'אֲרִיאֵל (Ari'el)', where 'ari' meant 'lion' and 'el' meant 'God'.

'ariel' passed into Greek and Latin biblical texts as a proper name and later into Medieval and Modern English via biblical and literary usage, becoming the modern English name 'ariel'.

Initially it meant 'lion of God' as a theophoric name/title; over time it has been used as a personal name, the name of mythic and angelic figures, a literary spirit, an astronomical name for a moon, and a commercial brand.