Ariana, a term in classical history, from Latin Arianus, Ariana, from Greek Arianē, Areianē, names applied in classical times to the eastern part of ancient Iran and to its inhabitants. Ancient Iranians used the name in reference to themselves (Old Persian ariya-), hence Iran. Ultimately from Sanskrit arya- "compatriot;" in later language "noble, of good family.", was a general
geographical term used by some
Greek and
Roman authors of
antiquity for an extensive territory in
Central Asia,[4] comprising the eastern part of the
Persian empire, now all of
Afghanistan and a part of
Iran and southeast of
Tajikistan.[5][6]The name of Iran (
Persia) originates from the
Old Persian word airiyanem (Ariana) meaning "[The Land of] the Aryans".[7]
Ariana is sometimes used as a
Welsh name, an elaboration of Welsh: arian “
silver.”[8]
In the
United States, the name Ariana peaked at the 30th most popular name for baby girls in 2014, and was in the top 40th to 100th most popular names during the first and second decades of the 21st century.[13] Arianna also peaked in 2014, at 40th place, and was in the top 50 to low 100s range in the same period.[13] The names are 68th and 95th place for 2017.
^Homer, Odyssey 11.320, Hesiod, Theogony 947, and later authors.
^Pasiphaë is mentioned as Ariadne's mother in Bibliotheke 3.1.2 (Pasiphaë, daughter of the Sun), in Apollonius' Argonautica iii.997, and in Hyginus Fabulae, 224.
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