In Studio Ghibli’s Arrietty, the Borrower girl is named Arrietty.
Arrietty is a tiny person who lives beneath the floorboards of a house with her parents, Pod and Homily Clock. Borrowers secretly take small household objects that they need, such as sugar and tissues, while trying to remain unseen by human residents.
During her first borrowing expedition, Arrietty is spotted by Sho, a human boy staying in the house. Their encounter threatens her family’s safety because Borrowers normally avoid contact with humans. Arrietty’s courage and curiosity help drive the story, but they also bring danger to her home.
The film is based on Mary Norton’s 1952 children’s novel The Borrowers. Its Japanese title is Karigurashi no Arrietty, meaning Arrietty the Borrower. The English-language title shortens the character’s name to Arrietty.