I’ve always liked the name [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] casually, but just recently have I had it hit me with its charm and saw it in a new light. After looking up on [name_u]Ariel[/name_u], I saw people were confused about its pronunciation and which gender it leans towards. [name_m]How[/name_m] do you pronounce [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] and which spelling do you like or dislike?
Which gender do you think [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] leans towards? In some cultures, [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] is strictly boy, however, in the states … it’s more thought of feminine, I would believe, but maybe I’m wrong and it’s one of those names that falls into the latter despite seeming to lean overall towards the feminine side, you’d realize more boys are named instead (like [name_u]Bailey[/name_u] — I know more boys named [name_u]Bailey[/name_u] than girls here in [name_u]America[/name_u])
Still, could a boy in [name_u]America[/name_u] be named [name_u]Ariel[/name_u]/[name_f]Aerial[/name_f] without any worries with this name?
I’m quite taken to [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] pronounced [name_f]Air[/name_f]-ee-uhl for a boy, but am I the only one? Would the spelling [name_f]Aerial[/name_f] help make it seem more “boyish”?
Though I do like [name_u]Ariel[/name_u]/[name_f]Arielle[/name_f] on a girl, as well.
With the spelling [name_u]Ariel[/name_u], I would pronounce it [name_f]AIR[/name_f]-ree-ull, but when spelled as [name_f]Arielle[/name_f] I would pronounce it ah-ree-[name_f]ELL[/name_f]. The spelling [name_f]Aerial[/name_f] doesn’t really look like a name to me, more of an object.
As for gender, I didn’t know that [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] was considered unisex, but I would only ever use it for a girl. Especially because when I hear the name I instantly think of The [name_m]Little[/name_m] Mermaid.
If you like the “air” sound for a boy, maybe you’d like Ayrton or [name_u]Adair[/name_u]/[name_u]Adaire[/name_u].
I prefer the straightforward spelling of [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] and I’d pronounce it [name_f]Air[/name_f]-ree-uhl. I think of both the [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] character and the mermaid so for me it’s gender neutral. I can picture it quite easily on a boy
[name_u]Ariel[/name_u] for me is all little mermaid so I would say [name_f]Air[/name_f]-ee-uhl and all girl. I think it would be hard one for a little boy to pull off now.
I do know an [name_f]Arielle[/name_f] that is Are-ee-elle which is lovely.
[name_u]Ariel[/name_u] is a great name! I prefer it on a boy because of it’s Shakespearean association but younger kids might only associate it with the mermaid. I say go for it. [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] is the best / most unisex spelling to me.
I think it’d be hard to use on a boy because of the little mermaid’s popularity. I’ve only ever met female Ariels all of whom pronounce their name [name_f]Air[/name_f]-ee-elle or are-ee-elle. What about [name_m]Adrian[/name_m] or [name_u]Ari[/name_u] for a boy instead? (these names are much more masculine to me)
[name_u]Ariel[/name_u] and [name_f]Aerial[/name_f] = [name_f]AIR[/name_f]-ee-al
[name_f]Arielle[/name_f] = are-ee-[name_f]ELLE[/name_f]
From what I’ve seen, the “are” pronunciation is actually the original (Hebrew) boy way to say it but others can correct me if I’m wrong. For a boy, I think I’d see it said “ARE-ee-al” (no emphasis on “elle” like with [name_f]Arielle[/name_f]).
My favorite spelling is [name_f]Aerial[/name_f] because of the dance connection but I’m not really a fan of the name in general, if I’m honest. It’s a little dated imo because everyone I’ve known with the name were my age or older.
Honestly, it’s all little mermaid for me. I can’t picture it for a boy at all. But that doesn’t mean someone can’t or shouldn’t use it for a boy.
Ariel is a beautiful name! I know that it is unisex (masculine before the mermaid), but at the first sight I always imagine a girl. I pronounce it Ah-ree-elle in portuguese, but in english I would say Air-ee-elle. My favorite spelling is Ariel but I would also consider Arielle.