Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese put forward the motion and described the singer as "a young American woman for whom it would have been understandable if she never wanted to see this place again."
"But no -- instead she, as an artist, a performer, was determined that she would not perform again until she had returned to Manchester to perform," Leese said.
"In doing so, she brought comfort to thousands, she raised millions for the We Love Manchester emergency fund and became the first patron of that fund," he added.
"And that's why I propose that Ariana Grande is made the first honorary citizen of the city of Manchester."
On her Instagram page Grande said:"I don’t know what to say. Words don’t suffice. I’m moved and honoured. My heart is very much still there. I love you. Thank you."
On 22nd May a concert held by Grande resulted in 22 people who were killed and dozens more injured after a lone suicide bomber detonated a device inside the foyer at the arena, shortly after the concert had finished.
The 24 year-old returned to Manchester two weeks later and organised the One Love Manchester concert to raise money for the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack.
Music artists including Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell and Manchester's own Liam Gallagher performed along with Ariana Grande as almost £3 million for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.
Honorary citizenship is the highest honour that can be awarded by a city, apart from the "freedom of the city" award, which has only been handed out four times since 2000.
