Ariki is a Māori name meaning "chief" or "high-born leader." It directly derives from the traditional title ariki, which in Polynesian societies denotes a hereditary nobility or ruling class. The term is cognate with ari'i in Tahitian, aliʻi in Samoan and Hawaiian, and ʻeiki in Tongan, reflecting a shared Austronesian heritage. Variants within Māori include Te Ariki and Teariki; the latter is also used in Cook Islands Maori. In Māori society, an ariki was a person of supreme rank and seniority, often the first-born child of a first-born line. Their status derived from linking multiple senior descent lines from founding ancestors and ultimately from the gods. This gave them mana (authority and spiritual power) that combined hereditary, personal, and theocratic elements. Both men and women could hold the title. Cultural Significance The concept of ariki continues to be important in Māori and wider Polynesian cultures. They served as political and spiritual leaders, guiding their people through customary law and decision-making. The name carries connotations of leadership, nobility, and strength.