'ariki' originates from Proto-Polynesian, specifically the reconstructed form '*ariki' (or '*ariqi'), where the root '*ari' referred to 'leader' or 'chief'.

'ariki' was present in Proto-Polynesian and passed into various Polynesian languages (for example, Māori 'ariki'); the English borrowing comes from Māori in the 19th century as European contact increased.

Initially it meant 'leader' or 'chief' in Proto-Polynesian, and its meaning has largely been retained as 'paramount chief' or 'high-ranking chief' in modern usage.