Likely a variant of Aria or Ariya, associated with melody, nobility, or lion-like strength.
Areya is a variant spelling of Arya, one of the most ancient and linguistically significant names in the Indo-Iranian world. The Sanskrit word ārya (आर्य) originally designated a member of the noble, cultivated classes in Vedic society — someone of good character, honorable conduct, and spiritual refinement. The concept traveled west with the Proto-Indo-Iranian peoples, appearing in Persian as arya, which gave Iran its very name ("Land of the Aryans").
In Old Iranian texts and Zoroastrian scriptures, the word similarly connotes nobility, virtue, and cultural excellence. In Iran and the broader Persian-speaking world, Arya and its variants have been given to both boys and girls for millennia, carrying a quiet pride in pre-Islamic heritage. In Hindu and Jain traditions, Arya appears as an epithet of the goddess Parvati and as a honorific for the spiritually advanced.
R. Martin's fierce, determined Arya Stark in Game of Thrones — a character whose tenacity gave the name a new generation of admirers who may or may not know its ancient roots. The spelling Areya softens the name slightly, adding a visual elegance and distinguishing it from more common spellings.
It is favored by families in the South Asian and Iranian diaspora who want to honor the name's deep cultural heritage while giving it a form that feels fresh and individual. Across its many spellings, the name has never lost its essential quality: the suggestion of someone set apart by character rather than circumstance.