Meaning and origin of Arianna

Ariana is a feminine name. Ariana and Arianna are the two most common variations. Other variants include Arijana, Ariane, Arianne, Arieana, Arionna, Arriana, Aryonna, and Aryanna.[2] Nicknames include Ari, Aria, Ana, Anna, and Ani.

Etymology
The name is both an Italian simplification of the Greek name Ariadne ("most holy", "Holy one"; Cretan Greek αρι (ari) "most" and αδνος (adnos) "holy") , and a Welsh name meaning "silver" (derived from Welsh arian, "silver"). Ariana can also come from the root 'aria' meaning melody or song, in which case, the name would mean 'singer', "Like a beautiful melody" This name is Maaori for sweet song. It suits a sweet person with charm and splendor. In Middle Persian languages, the name Ariana meant anyone born in Aryan territories, such as the Persian Empire (Iran), including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of India.

Popularity
The names Ariana and Arianna are popular in Italy.

In the United States, the name Ariana was listed as the No. 81 most popular name for babies in 2005, with Arianna at No. 88.
As of 2007, the spellings Ariana and Arianna rank far ahead other spellings, such as Aryana. Below is a list from the Social Security Administration website of popular baby names that include and are similar to Ariana.
Adrianna = 196
Aria = 709
Ariana = 81
Arianna = 88
Aryana = 872
Aryanna = 706
Ayanna = 491
Mariana = 166
Marianna = 710
This is how the popularity of Ariana has changed over the years as of April 1 2007.

Year of birth =*Rank

2005 = *81
2004 = *79
2003 = *85
2002 = *93
2001 = *92
2000 = *109
1999 = *130
1998 = *137
1997 = *138
1996 = *156
1995 = *163
1994 = *166
1993 = *190
1992 = *207
1991 = *192
Note: Rank 1 is the most popular, rank 2 is the next most popular, and so forth. Name data are from Social Security card applications for births that occurred in the United States.

Pronunciations
Famous Arianas or Ariannas
Ariana Duarte, Television News Reporter
Arianna Huffington, politician/writer
Arianna, singer Ariana Richards, painter
Ariana Basco, sister of actor brothers Darion, Derek, Dion, and Dante Basco
Ari Up, musician
Ariana Dumbledore, sister of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter books

Other uses of the name
Ariana Afghan Airlines
Arriana (Αρριανά), municipality in the Rhodope Prefecture, Greece
-http://en.wikipedia.org