Ariana

Ariana is a feminine given name, popular in many languages. Arianna and Ariane are the two most common variations. Etymology The name Ariana may be used following several possible following origins. The name Ariana is the Latinized form of the Ancient greek name Ariadne (; ; "most holy", Cretan Greek αρι [ari] "most" and αδνος [adnos] "holy"), the daughter of Minos, King of Crete, and his queen Pasiphaë, daughter of Helios, the god of the sun, from Greek mythology. 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, comprising the eastern part of the Persian empire, now all of Afghanistan and a part of Iran and southeast of Tajikistan. The name of Iran (Persia) originates from the Old Persian word airiyanem (Ariana) meaning "[The Land of] the Aryans".