Ariadne

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Ariadne

Gender: Feminine
Language: English, Greek
Etymology:
Ariadne comes from a Greek name meaning “Very Holy,” from “ari” (very) and “adnos” or “agnos” (holy).

History:
Ariadne was possibly the name of a Cretan goddess, and was also the name of the daughter of King Minos in the Greek minotaur legends. Its use as a Christian name probably began after an obscure Phrygian saint, St. Ariadne, who died in 130. She would account for any use of that name.

It has always been rare.

Pronunciation: air-ee-add-nee.

Alternates: Ariana, Arieanna, Ariadna.
French: Arianne, Ariane.
Italian: Arianna.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Arianne Mnouchkine (1938-)
French playwright.

Fictional Characters:
Ariadne
In Greek mythology, a daughter King Minos (Keeper of the Minotaur).

Religious Figures:
St. Ariadne (-130)
A Phrygian martyr.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.005 % named Ariana
0.002 % named Ariane
0.002 % named Arianna
0.001 % named Arianne
less than 0.001 % named Ariadne

Popularity of Ariadne:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1880-2004: N/A

Selected Sources:
The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names, Withycombe, 1977, 3rd ed.
A Dictionary of First Names, Hanks and Hodges, 1990
The Penguin Dictionary of First Names, Pickering, 1999

The Social Security Administration Actuarial Note 139 (www.ssa.gov) - For popularity stats 1880-Present
The 1880 U.S. Census- For popularity stats 1850-1880, and other information (it is available on-line at www.familysearch.org)