Arieh is a Hebrew name meaning lion.
Arieh (אֲרִיֵה) is a Biblical Hebrew name meaning 'lion,' from the root ari (אֲרִי), the standard Hebrew word for lion — the king of beasts and one of the most powerful symbols in Jewish tradition. The lion is the emblem of the tribe of Judah, adorns countless synagogues and religious artifacts, and figures prominently in the Hebrew Bible as a symbol of divine strength, royal authority, and fierce protection. In Jewish liturgy and art, the lion of Judah is ubiquitous, giving Arieh a name that is simultaneously personal and woven into the deepest fabric of Jewish civilization.
The name appears in the Bible itself: in 2 Kings 15:25, Arieh is named among those killed alongside King Pekahiah of Israel, suggesting it was a recognized noble name in the ancient Northern Kingdom. Over the centuries it remained steadily in use among Jewish communities across the Diaspora, and it is particularly common in Israel today, where it is often given as a standalone name or as part of compound names like Arieh-Leib (combining the Hebrew and Yiddish words for lion) — a pairing that bridged Ashkenazic and Sephardic naming traditions. In modern Israel, Arieh carries a warm, classic quality — serious and strong without feeling heavy.
Notable contemporary bearers include Israeli politicians and public figures. Outside Israel, it has gained quiet recognition among Jewish families globally and among parents drawn to short, powerful Hebrew names with clear, beautiful meanings. The name ages exceptionally well: it belongs equally to a child and a patriarch, carrying strength without aggression, pride without pretension.